Ohio Coronavirus Case Total Passes 19,000

COLUMBUS, OH — The numbers continue to climb in Ohio as total coronavirus cases in the state topped 19,000 Saturday. The numbers, from the Ohio Department of Health, also show 1,021 deaths from the virus.

Total, the department has confirmed 19,335 cases of the coronavirus in the state, with 3,712 total hospitalizations.

Ohio officials have said they were hoping to see a plateau, or even decline, in new cases of the virus around the state. Thus far the state has posted three straight days of declining new cases. The health department confirmed 362 new COVID-19 cases Monday, 444 new cases Tuesday, 534 new cases Wednesday, 724 new cases Thursday, 716 Friday and now 592 new cases Saturday.

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State health director Dr. Amy Acton's stay-at-home order expired Thursday and a new "Stay-Safe-Ohio" order is in place until May 29.

"I know some of you think we’re not moving fast enough. Some think we’re going too fast. We’re trying to get it right," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news conference Friday. He also said he expects to be able to tell restaurants and hair salon owners what day they will be able to open.

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