Coronavirus: DeWine plans to unveil plan to reopen Ohio on Monday

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he plans to make an announcement on Monday regarding the state’s plan to reopen part of the economy beginning May 1. He also expects to share some information Friday on the state’s plan.

He continued to “begin the gradual, multi-phased process of reopening” by announcing this week that hospitals and outpatient clinics can begin the process of rescheduling medical procedures postponed because of a lack of personal protective equipment needed to deal with coronavirus victims.

As of Thursday afternoon, there were 14,694 cases in the state, 656 deaths and 2,960 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.

The state’s long-term care facilities have seen 11 percent of the total cases in Ohio.

Of the states positive cases, 26% are from Ohio’s prisons. At those prisons, there has been an increase in testing.

[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]

There have been 102,325 people tested for coronavirus in Ohio. In the state, 2,370 cases are health care workers, which is 16 percent of the cases.

It is important to note the number of confirmed cases is not a true reflection of actual cases in the state because of the limited amount of testing available. The hope is that the number of cases will be more accurate because of the expansion of the testing standards.

The state remains under an extended stay-at-home order until May 1.

DeWine held a 2 p.m. press conference where new information was shared on the state’s response to the virus.

The following announcements were made:

• Following Wednesday’s announcement about postponed surgeries, DeWine cautioned that the entire health care system is not ready to be "turned back on again
• There are more than 50,000 jobs posted on coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch
• DeWine said the state is following the broad guidelines set by the federal government and will make an announcement regarding reopening on Monday. He also expects to release some information Friday ahead of Monday’s announcement
• DeWine said the state plans to announce cuts from the state budget in the next few days

President Trump and the White House coronavirus task force gave their briefing on the federal response to the pandemic.

Here are the highlights:

• VIRUS KILLERS: Sunlight, high temperatures and humidity are detrimental to SARS-COV-2 in saliva droplets on surfaces and in the air according to emerging research, said Bill Bryan, Department of Homeland Security under secretary for science. For example, he said, the virus dies at a much higher rate if it is on a surface and exposed to temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees, with 20% humidity. The virus dies even more quickly in aerosol form when exposed to the same heat and humidity levels. Researchers have identified that heat and humidity are weak links in the chain of the virus, Bryan said, noting it would be irresponsible to say that summer will kill the virus. Trump said the findings are just a suggestion. Anthony Fauci, M.D., the top U.S. infectious disease expert, has said there is precedent with other infections like influenza that when the virus gets warmer it goes down in its ability to spread, but no one should assume that people are going to be rescued by a change in the weather
• HOUSE OKs STIM BILL: The House sends Trump $484 billion package for small business, hospitals in latest bid to counter the pandemic. The Senate approved the bill earlier this week
• REOPENING PLANS: 16 states have released formal plans to reopen. There are 23 states where new COVID-19 cases have declined, Vice President Mike Pence said
• ELECTIVE SURGERIES: Trump is encouraging states to restart elective surgeries
• EXPANDED TESTING: Trump is to speak with governors Friday for an update on testing. He mentioned DeWine’s announcement this week about the FDA’s approval for Ohio to use Thermo Fischer Scientific’s reagent in expanding testing
• COVID-19 & MINORITY HEALTH: The special minority task force on health, led by HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, is to convene Friday

Things you need to know today, Thursday:

• LINGERING CONCERNS: Ohio remains on track to gradually reopen businesses beginning May 1 amid continuing concerns about a lack of testing, rapid testing, and personal protection equipment as well as the ability to perform contact tracing. Spikes in new cases could slow or derail states’ plans to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, DeWine has said
• NEW NORMAL PREVIEW?: In Logan County, Health Commissioner Boyd Hoddinott, M.D. has issued a memo, “Economic Recovery Instructions to Reopen and Operate a Business,” that offers a glimpse of the new normal that begins on or about May 1
• PRIORITY TESTING: The state unveiled a priority system for testing. Priority 1: Symptomatic people who are hospitalized or health care workers. Priority 2: Symptomatic people in long-term care/congregate living facilities, fire responders/critical infrastructure workers, 65 and older or living with underlying conditions. A subcategory includes individuals and staff without symptoms who live in long-term care/congregate living facilities with an outbreak. Priority 3: Includes others with symptoms or mildly symptomatic people with high COVID-19 hospitalizations
• OHIO LOSES 1 MILLION JOBS: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said the state has lost about 1 million jobs. According to some estimates, the nation may reach 20 percent unemployment during the pandemic, he said, noting the nation’s jobless rate reached 10.9 percent during the Great Recession
• CORONAVIRUS ‘WORSE’ THIS FALL?: The CDC’s Robert Redfield, M.D., said fall and winter will be more difficult because flu and the coronavirus will be circulating at the same time. “That doesn’t mean it’s going to be worse,” he said. Redfield said his intent was to get the public to embrace the flu vaccine with confidence to take the flu “out of the picture” to minimize the coronavirus. Task force member Dr. Deborah Birx said, “We’re preparing for that potential” the coronavirus would return. “We don’t know” whether it will come back this fall and winter, she said
• LOCAL DRIVE-THRU TESTING: Kroger Health and Kettering Health Network announced drive-thru testing through May. Visit http://krogerhealth.com/covidtesting and use the virtual screening tool, based on the CDC’s guidelines. It will help determine your eligibility for testing
• COVID-19 & SLEEP: Read the latest news about the pandemic and how it invades our dreams
• COMING TODAY: Watch for “Coronavirus: Hope after job loss,” a special report from News Center 7′s John Bedell
• COVID-19 UPDATES: Read the latest updates on the virus from WHIO

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