DeWine made the following announcements in his press conference:
- Funerals and weddings are leading to a “deeply concerning” COVID-19 outbreak across Ohio, he said.
- In less than one month, Ohio’s COVID-19 positivity rate has increased to an almost four percent community spread rate. Compared to early September, when the positivity rate averaged 2.5 percent, it now has increased to 3.9 percent.
- DeWine said public health leaders across the state contributed the outbreak to lax social distancing and not enough people wearing masks or following quarantine guidance.
- The Ohio Department of Health has signed a new visitation order for nursing homes. Details of the order will be made available this afternoon. The new visitation policies will go into effect on Oct. 12.
- Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System now contains 19 level red high exposure and spread counties, and 58 level orange increased exposure and spread counties. DeWine said those dozen of counties are Ohio’s highest number ever designated level orange. In total, 96 percent of the state is now designated as a level red or orange county.
- The governor gave examples in new red counties, like funerals, weddings, sleepovers and back yard barbeques spreading the virus.
- A decision has not been made on the 10 p.m. alcohol ban on bars and restaurants. DeWine has a call this afternoon with the Ohio Restaurant Association and “will listen to what they have to say.”
Other things to know Thursday:
Your neighborhood bar will have to continue its state-mandated last call at 10 pm a while longer. DeWine said he is meeting soon with business leaders to discuss the possibility of lifting the restriction in the future, but so far there is no change.
It follows a statement from President Donald Trump that people should not be afraid of COVID-19. The President said it on Twitter after his release from the hospital where he was treated for the coronavirus. DeWine said while Ohioans should not fear the virus, they should continue to wear a mask, keep socially distant and continue to abide by restrictions. “For all of us in Ohio,” DeWine said, “my fellow citizens, we need to stay focused.”
More news for Thursday:
- Kenton Ridge HS moves to virtual learning amid increase in COVID-19 cases
- Breast cancer screenings down 94 percent, doctor urges mammograms
- 7 of 9 Bellefontaine bus routes reopen after bus drivers test positive
- White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tests positive for coronavirus
- 14 states hit single-day COVID-19 high in first days of October
- What are the medications he has been given and what are they supposed to do?
- Oregon District Halloween event Hauntfest canceled due to COVID-19
- Local Starbucks closes after employee tests positive for COVID-19
LATEST STATE DATA: As of Thursday afternoon, there have been at least 164,262 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 4,983 deaths, and 16,200 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
140,808 people are presumed to have recovered from the virus in the state.
Ohio has an estimated population of approximately 11.7 million, census records show.
[ Local cases, deaths reported to Ohio Department of Health ]
There have been 3,480,214 people tested for the coronavirus in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
A total of 17,414 health care workers have tested positive which is about 11 percent of the cases.
Cox Media Group
