COLUMBUS, Ohio — The latest on the coronavirus in the state of Ohio:
Wednesday
The state did not hold the usual daily coronavirus update on Wednesday. Announcements regarding the businesses in industries that have remained closed in Ohio, are expected during Thursday's conference.
New numbers
The total number of cases of COVID-19 reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Wednesday was 21,576 with 20,625 of those cases confirmed.
The ODH reported 4,052 hospitalizations, with 1,151 of those cases being intensive care cases.
A total of 1,225 deaths were reported. The total numbers are both confirmed and presumed cases of the coronavirus.
The median age of those affected by COVID-19 is 51.
Tuesday
Ohio budget cuts
Gov. Mike DeWine immediately began Tuesday's update with cuts to the state's budget.
Figures for the month of April have taken a "dramatic turn" for the state, as Ohio is now below the estimates for the fiscal year by $776.9 million, DeWine said.
He then announced a $775 million budget reduction in General Revenue Fund spending for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020. Meaning the $775 million in cuts will happen over the next two months (up until June 30).
The fiscal year starts on July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Ohio is now in the 11th month of the 24-month budget.
With this decision, DeWine said he has also decided NOT to tap into Ohio's Rainy Day Fund of $2.7 billion. The logic behind these decisions the governor said is to prevent even more dramatic cuts in the future.
Below is a list of which agencies that will be impacted by the budget cuts and how:
- Medicaid: $210 million
- K12 Foundation Payment Reduction: $300 million
- Other Education Budget Line Items: $55 million
- Higher Education: $110 million
- All Other Agencies: $100 million
- Total cuts: $775 million
When asked if the state will ever use the state's Rainy Day Fund, DeWine answered yes, but the state will use it for needs that'll need to be met down the line.
At the end of February, DeWine said that Ohio's economy was strong and on track. State revenues for the fiscal year were ahead of estimates by over $200 million.
New Numbers
The total number of cases of COVID-19 reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Tuesday was 20,969.
There were a reported 3,956 hospitalizations, with 1,123 of those cases being intensive care cases. A total of 1,135 deaths were reported. The total numbers are both confirmed and presumed cases of the coronavirus.
There are currently more male cases of coronavirus than female and almost 160,00 tests have been conducted in Ohio Dr. Amy Acton said.
The median age of those affected by COVID-19 is 51.
Businesses looking to reopen
Reports from committees tied to the remaining business industries such as restaurants and beauty salons and other businesses that are still closed, will be reviewed Wednesday. There will not be a coronavirus state update that day.
Updates pertaining to those industries are expected to be announced Thursday.
WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE:
Monday
Monday's briefing got off to a slightly late start, as Gov. Mike DeWine said he was delayed by a call he was on with Vice President Mike Pence.
The governor started the conference with a moment of silence for the victims of the shooting at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. The governor has ordered that flags be flown at half staff for the rest of the day.
The news conference concluded with a video of the Mid-American Conference, of which Toledo and Bowling Green are members, encouraging social distancing with the hopes that sports and fandom will resume again.
Restarting Ohio
There are multiple task force groups working on plans to roll out the reopening of Ohio's economy. DeWine said the restaurant task force is getting closer to completion and a date will be coming in the next several days as to when they can begin to reopen.
"Each one of these groups is comprised of people in that industry," DeWine said, noting the restaurant group has both small and large owners involved.
May 4 started the reopening of construction and distribution and small offices, and May 12 marks the opening of retail. Retail is able right now to take appointments and conduct business curbside, DeWine said.
"As we start this new phase, the emphasis is on how," DeWine said. "For that we are relying on the people who do the work every single day. We are relying on them to set the guidelines and the standards."
The governor pointed toward a 21-day trend to make sure the state is heading in the right direction.
"At this point, it's about what you do, not what I say. You're the ones who have got us here. As more and more things open up and we get out and do things, at the same time, we want everyone to continue to be cautious and maintain distancing protocol," DeWine said. "It's really, really up to you."
Violating social distancing
The Stay Safe order lets people go out for supplies, but still doesn't allow for gatherings of more than 10 people. When asked when this might be lifted, to let people come together, DeWine said it's up to the individuals as we move forward. He said he doesn't think the police are counting 11 people being together and then taking action.
"We're in this as individuals making individual decisions. We're going to be l giving with this for awhile unless a miracle occurs. We're trying to do two things at once, save lives and get the economy moving," DeWine said.
Protests
The governor made pointed comments criticizing protesters who recently broke social distancing guidelines and approached media personnel in a threatening way and who protested outside the home of Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton.
"I don't usually comment about demonstrations. I have been in public office for 40 years and I have a great respect for their constitutional rights to demonstrate. ... Fran and I grew up in Yellow Springs, a town that values free speech. It's something we are used to and we respect. I am fair game. But I want to talk about what is not fair game. It's not fair game to disrespect the news media, to be obnoxious to the news media. That is not fair game. You should come after me. Don't go after people who are exercising First Amendment rights. Reporters, photographers who are doing nothing more than following the First Amendment and informing the public. They are informing the public about what you think. The news media is going to cover you. To treat them with disrespect, to not observe social distancing with them, I find that to be very very sad. Come after me.
"I am the elected official. I' the one who ran for office. The members of my cabinet - including Dr. Acton - work very very hard. To bother the family of Dr. Acton, I don't think that's fair game. You can get your point across with demonstrations against what I am doing or what policies you disagree with," DeWine said.
Testing
DeWine praised the contract with ThermoFisher that will allow for more than 22,000 tests per day soon. The expanded testing is key to protecting Ohioans as the state reopens, he said.
An increased testing capacity does not replace good hygiene and social distancing, the governor said. The testing will help to identify hard hit areas where the virus has spread, he said.
While testing capacity is increasing, DeWine said the capacity is not unlimited so the state is setting priorities on who will be tested.
"Eventually, we'll be able to test those with mild symptoms, even asymptomatic people will eventually be tested - but we're not at the point where we have that testing capacity yet," DeWine said.
The Ohio Department of Health has broken down who will be tested into three priorities:
Priority 1: Ohioans with symptoms who are either hospitalized or who are health-care workers.
Priority 2: Ohioans with symptoms who are either residents of long-term care/congregate living settings, first responders/public health workers/critical infrastructure workers, 65 and older, living with underlying conditions; Ohioans without symptoms who are residents/staff directly exposed during an outbreak in long-term care/congregate living settings; other Ohioans who are designated by public health officials to evaluate/manage community outbreaks
Priority 3: Ohioans without symptoms who are receiving essential surgeries/procedures, including those who were reassessed after a delay or who are receiving the medically necessary procedures not requiring an overnight stay/inpatient hospital admission.
Congregate living settings are defined as settings where more than six people live and where there is a propensity for rapid person-to-person spread of infectious diseases. Some examples are:
- Assisted living/nursing centers
- Ohio Veterans Homes
- Residential facilities for mental health/substance use treatment
- Psychiatric hospitals/group homes
- Centers/facilities/group homes for people with intellectual disabilities
- Homeless and domestic violence shelters
- Youth detention centers
- Prisons/jails
Ohio BMV
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations will not happen until later in May. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said there is no fixed date yet, as each BMV will need to reactivate the hiring of staff and implementing social distancing barriers.
"We are in the process of implementing the 'Get In Line, Online' service," Husted said.
This online system had rolled out earlier, reaching about 20 locations, but now all BMVs will be ab le to permit online check-ins going forward.
Husted also said a large number of services are available at the online portal already.
Expiration dates on licenses and registrations are suspended for the time being, Husted said.
New numbers
The total number of cases of COVID-19 reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Monday was 20,474, up from Sunday's 19,914. This increase represents the smallest day-to-day case increase in five days.
There were a reported 3,809 hospitalizations, with 1,090 of those cases being intensive care cases. A total of 1,056 deaths were reported. The total numbers are both confirmed and presumed cases of the coronavirus.
There are currently more male cases of coronavirus than female, with 11,416 males affected and 8,953 females affected. There have been 154,290 tests conducted in Ohio. The median age of those affected by COVID-19 is 51.
RELATED: Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohio will soon be able to test up to 20,000 people per day for coronavirus
WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE:
Sunday
New numbers:
As of Sunday, the Ohio Department of Health reported 19,094 confirmed and 820 probable cases of coronavirus, making 19,914 total in the state.
So far, there have been 957 confirmed and 81 probable deaths, for a total of 1,038 COVID-related deaths, per ODH data.
To date, there have been 3,769 hospitalizations with 1,078 ICU admissions.
ODH reported an age range of cases from less than 1-year-old to 106-years-old with a median age of 51.
So far, 56% of patients have been male and 44% have been female.