OHIO, USA — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the state Thursday with new information on his administration's response to COVID-19.
DeWine noted that the state's positivity rate is on the rise as the virus seemingly continues to
Here is a breakdown of what was discussed.
THURSDAY
KEY METRICS
Here are the lastest coronavirus numbers as reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Thursday:
- 1,539 new cases compared to 21-day average of 1,080
- 13 reported deaths compared to 21-day average of 19
- 109 new hospitalizations compared to 21-day average of 75
- 11 new ICU admissions compared to 12
CASES PER 100,000
Although Putnam County remains in the top 10 counties with the most cases per 100,000 people, the county dropped way down the list to the sixth spot with 251 cases per 100,000 in the last two weeks.
However, Fulton County climbed up the list to the third spot, with 287.2 cases per 100,000.
Three other northwest Ohio counties were in the top 20 on Thursday: Defiance, Henry and Wood, with 223, 200 and 175 cases per 100,000 respectively.
DeWine called the numbers "disturbing."
At this point, 96% of Ohioans are living in a red or an orange county. Only 4% of Ohioans are in the 12 Level 1 (Yellow) counties.
POSITIVITY RATE
DeWine said that the positivity rate in the state had been on a downward trend for quite some time. To date, the lowest positivity rate was in mid-late September. The week of Sept. 18 had a rate of 2.7%
However, the positivity rate is on the rise once again. This week, it was 3.3%.
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY MAP
On Thursday, there were 18 counties in the Level 3 (Red) category of the state's Public Health Advisory System, the highest number since July 23.
There were also 58 Ohio counties in the Level 2 (Orange) county, the highest at any point since the system was created, DeWine said.
DeWine said the spread has been attributed to a lack of masks, social distancing and people not following quarantine procedures. There has been increased spread among families and church groups and at after school activities like sports.
Half of the outbreaks the state has seen recently, DeWine said, have been caused by funerals or weddings.
FLU SHOTS
"This may be the most important flu vaccination season in our history, as we fight both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time," DeWine said in a tweet.
He said that getting an annual flu shot is another layer of protection to stay healthy.
In addition to drive-through clinics hosted throughout the state, you can also get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, retail pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and at federally qualified health care centers.
NURSING HOME ORDER
The nursing facility visitation order has been signed by the Ohio Dept. of Health. That order will be up soon on the state's coronavirus website.
ALCOHOL SALES
DeWine noted that he had a call scheduled with the Ohio Restaurant Association later Thursday afternoon.
He said that while spread does occur in bars, the majority of the spread the state is seeing is at funerals and weddings.
"So there's a lot of things that are causing spread in Ohio today and so we are trying to weigh the balance for small businessmen and women," DeWine said.
FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
TUESDAY
KEY METRICS
Below are the coronavirus trends as reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Tuesday:
- 1,335 new cases reported compared to 21-day average of 1,039
- 16 new coronavirus-related deaths compared to 21-day average of 21
- 132 new hospitalizations compared to 21-day average of 71
- 36 new ICU admissions compared to 21-day average of 12
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY MAP
According to the week's new health advisory map, Gov. DeWine pointed out that it highlighted counties that were considered Level 3 and high incidence.
"These are the counties that we would worry the most about. Doesn't mean that everybody else doesn't have something to worry about, but these are the counties that are High Incident level or they are red because they met those seven indicators," he explained.
High incidence counties are counties with more than 100 cases per 100,000 people in the last two weeks.
The map showed a new pattern of high incidence in the western part of the state, especially in northwest rural counties.
Of the top 20 counties in Ohio ranked by the highest occurrence of the virus, Mercer is number one.
Putnam County fell to the number three spot, followed by Fulton.
Defiance, Fayette, Henry, Wood, were consecutively ranked from six through nine.
Hancock was ranked 19.
HOSPITALIZATION
In recent weeks, a new trend has started to develop.
DeWine said that the new average age of COVID-19 cases is in people 60 and older. That age demographic now makes up 70% of Ohio COVID-19 hospital admissions. DeWine said the trend is considerably higher than the 50% that was documented in July.
"I will make it clear, all of our regions have adequate capacity remaining in hospitals. But it is a geographical switch, we are seeing an age switch," DeWine said.
GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE
DeWine addressed concerns from school superintendents throughout the state pertaining to the number of students meeting the CDC definition of close contact and put into quarantine.
DeWine said his administration has heard anecdotally that most quarantined students are not getting sick. He went on to say that he feels it is important to have data and evidence on this before making a change to the recommended guidance.
The governor said his administration will soon test quarantine guidelines at ten schools.
IMPACTS OF COVID-19
MENTAL HEALTH
During the conference, Mental Health Awareness Week was acknowledged by Recovery Ohio's director Alisha Nelson.
DeWine said that the state is seeing an increase of mental health problems, drug use and dependency as a result of the pandemic.
Nelson provided resources available to Ohioans in need and mentioned that needs do not have to be COVID-19 related.
OHIOANS STRUGGLING TO PAY BILLS
Gov. DeWine said his administration is working closely with its partners in the General Assembly to hopefully announce a plan next week that will help Ohioans struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, or water/sewer bills, as well as to help small businesses and non-profits.
The plan will use CARES Act dollars.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that there are 165,000 jobs available in the state with 81,700 jobs that pay over $50,000 a year. Those jobs can be found at the OhioMeansJobs website.