COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine held another coronavirus press conference Thursday afternoon, with new information on the state's response to the ongoing pandemic.
DeWine announced the state's new Director of the Ohio Dept. of Health as Dr. Joan Duwve, an Ohio native who is currently serving as South Carolina's Director of Public Health at the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control.
However, hours later, Duwve reportedly withdrew her name from consideration, citing "personal reasons," according to DeWine.
Other topics covered during Thursday's presser were flu shots, food banks and the state's Public Health Advisory map.
Here is a breakdown of what was discussed.
THURSDAY
CURRENT TRENDS
KEY INDICATORS
On Thursday, there were 1,121 new cases of coronavirus reported compared to the 21-day average of 1,052.
There were 30 coronavirus-related deaths reported as well. That average came in at 20 on Thursday.
Hospitalizations and ICU admissions were up as well, with 81 and 16 respectively. Those averages were at 74 and 11.
AGE DISTRIBUTION
PUBLIC ADVISORY ALERT SYSTEM
Lucas County and Wayne County dropped out of the Level 3 (Red) category and into the Level 2 (Orange).
Nine counties dropped from orange to yellow and 68 stayed the same.
However, there were six counties in the red, including Putnam locally.
DeWine said Putnam has a high level of cases, with 280 per 100,000 people. Ninety-five cases have been in the last two weeks. The county has had a total of 430 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, so many of these cases have come at the same time.
DeWine also noted a sustained increase in cases. On Aug. 19, the county had an average of five new cases per day. However, on Aug. 29, that number jumped to 11.
CASES PER 100,000
Putnam County stayed in the number one spot on Thursday, out of all 88 Ohio counties, for the most cases per 100,000 people.
The county was reported to have 280.6 cases per 100,000, which is well above the CDC threshold for high incidence.
The only other northwest Ohio county to reach the top 10 was Henry County, which went from the ninth spot up to 8, with 148.1 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks.
NEW ODH DIRECTOR
DeWine announced Thursday that Ohio native Dr. Joan Duwve would be the newest Ohio Dept. of Health Director after Dr. Amy Acton stepped down.
Duwve, he said, is a medical doctor, with extensive experience in public health.
However, later Thursday night, DeWine announced that Duwve had withdrawn her name from consideration for "personal reasons."
The governor said that his administration will continue their search to take over the role.
Duwve has been working for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, as the Director of Public Health at their Department of Health and Environmental Control.
We will continue to keep you updated with the latest on the state's search for Acton's replacement.
INFLUENZA
DeWine expressed concern for Ohioans who contract the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.
The governor encouraged everyone who can, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone who is six months or older and able, to get vaccinated against the flu, including pregnant women, whose vaccinations can protect their babies in the time after birth.
It’s also extremely important to get vaccinated if you are an essential worker, DeWine said.
In an effort to encourage Ohioans to get their vaccine, the governor, First Lady Fran DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted received their vaccinations on camera during Thursday's conference from their primary care doctors.
If you are unsure where to get a vaccine, click here.
OHIO FOOD BANKS
Thursday was also National Hunger Action Day.
Citizens are encouraged to get connected to volunteer opportunities, donate, and raise awareness about the problem of hunger.
Ohio food banks are recruiting 25 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA national service members as part of a new program to respond to COVID-19’s impact on food security.
Ohio is one of four states participating in this pilot. To learn more, click here.
TUESDAY
KEY METRICS
On Tuesday there were 656 new cases of coronavirus reported compared to the 21-day average of 1,051.
Twenty-two coronavirus-related deaths were noted in the last 24-hour period compared to the average of 20.
Hospitalizations were at 80 since Monday, with the 21-day average coming in at 73. There were also 8 ICU admissions reported compared to the average of 11 over the last 21 days.
DeWine noted that data may seem lower at the beginning of the week, especially following a three-day weekend, as there is a lag in reporting.
CASES PER 100,000
The governor updated his list of counties in order of those with the most cases per 100,000 people to the least.
Putnam County remained at the top of the list, with 301.2 cases per 100,000 over the last two weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention threshold for high incidence is 100 cases per 100,000.
The only other northwest Ohio county in the top 10 was Henry County, which dropped from the ninth spot this week. Henry is reported to have 129.6 cases per 100,000 people.
NON-CONGREGATE SHELTERING
DeWine took a moment during Tuesday's conference to clear up confusion about the latest non-congregate sheltering order.
The governor said that he is aware of internet rumors that incorrectly claim these orders allow children to be separated from parents without permission.
"This is not in our order and there is no truth to the rumor. Families will not be separated, and kids will not be away from their loved ones," DeWine said on Twitter.
This order creates a funding mechanism to allow for federal reimbursement for those looking to create places for people to safely isolate or quarantine. It has been used in a handful of cases in Ohio, but not in any large-scale way.
Having quarantine housing options gives people the choice of a safe, comfortable place to recover from the virus while others can stay in the original housing, he said.
The governor reiterated that neither FEMA nor the Ohio Dept. of Health are going to set up “FEMA camps” for anyone to quarantine against their will.
"What we are doing is making available a safe place for people to stay when they have loved ones they are trying to protect and they have no other place to go," DeWine clarified in a tweet.
WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE ATTENDING AN EVENT
The Cleveland Clinic and Clorox have teamed up to develop a resource for families to weigh the risk of contracting COVID-19 by attending activities and events, called "Safer at Home." You can find that resource here.
Cleveland Clinic Associate Chief Safety and Quality Officer Dr. Aaron Hamilton joined in on Tuesday's conference to explain what Ohioans should consider when deciding whether or not to attend an event.
Hamilton told Ohioans to consider three things: time, space and people.
TIME
- Duration - Consider the amount of time you'll be spending doing that activity.
- Frequency - Ask yourself, "How often will I be doing this particular activity?"
SPACE
- Is this an indoor activity or outdoor activity?
- Are you able to keep six feet apart?
- How can you spread out?
PEOPLE
- How well do you know the people you will be interacting with?
- Do you know how well they have been adhering to health and safety guidelines?