Coronavirus In Ohio: 138 New Deaths Confirmed

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio saw a spike in new coronavirus related deaths on Wednesday. There were 138 deaths related to COVID-19 confirmed by the state health department, up from 46 new deaths on Tuesday.

There were also 534 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Ohio on Wednesday. There were 444 new cases confirmed on Tuesday afternoon and 362 on Monday. Hospitalizations have also trended upward, according to Dr. Amy Acton, the director of the state health department.

Ohio officials have said they were hoping to see a plateau, or even decline, in new cases of the virus around the state. Death numbers may lag, health officials have said, but the state is also seeing an increase in new COVID-19 cases.

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There were 362 new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Monday, 444 new cases on Tuesday and 534 new cases on Wednesday. There were 25 new COVID-19 deaths confirmed on Monday afternoon, 46 new deaths confirmed Tuesday and 138 new cases on Wednesday.

"We are not accepting Ohioans have to die to have a strong economy," Acton said. "We cannot accept leaving anyone behind. We don't have to have a zero sum game."

However, Acton said Ohio's death count will continue to increase over the coming months.

Grant Funding Opportunities

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the state has $16 million in grants available for agencies working in fields related to criminal justice.

"Local authorities have worked in new ways to safely carry out their duties and provide much-needed support to victims of crime during this pandemic. Today I’m announcing that Ohio now has nearly $16 million in grant funding available to help," DeWine said during his daily news conference on Wednesday.

The governor said the funds could be used in the following fields:

• Local law enforcement
• Probation and parole offices
• Local courts
• Victim services providers
• Housing for domestic violence survivors
• Adult, juvenile, community corrections agencies

"Agencies may apply for up to 12 months of funding, and there is no local match required. The Ohio Criminal Justice Services agency has not set a deadline for funding requests, but we do recommend agencies apply ASAP, because funding will eventually run out," DeWine said.

New PPE

Ohio has acquired and shipped 4.1 million pieces of personal protective equipment to emergency management agencies across the state, DeWine announced Wednesday. He said state officials continue to compete with other states and federal agencies for precious protective equipment for front line workers.

"When this crisis began, I told you that we were going to do everything we could to ensure that those on the front line of this crisis have the PPE they need," DeWine said.

The governor said acquiring this equipment will help "protect the protectors."

Reopening Schedule

The state is planning to reopen the economy in phases. Here is the plan presented by DeWine:

• May 1 -- Vets, dentists, hospital procedures that don't require overnight stays
• May 4 - General offices, manufacturing, construction and distribution
• May 12 - Consumer retail and services

More reading:

• What Isn't Reopening In Ohio In Coming Weeks
• Nurse At Ohio Prison Dies From Coronavirus