Coronavirus Will Stress Ohio Hospitals In 2 Weeks, DeWine Says

COLUMBUS, OH — Within about two weeks, the new coronavirus is projected to spread rapidly and stress Ohio's hospital systems, Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday. The virus may peak in mid-May, he said, and Ohio needs to triple its hospital capacity before more Ohioans are infected.

"We have a long way to go. This is the stark reality," DeWine said regarding the projections, from the Cleveland Clinic. "The good news: The hospitals have all been planning for this. But now we are closing up the planning and moving toward the action."

State officials have divided Ohio into eight regions for planning purposes. Each region has been asked to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases. They must submit their plans to DeWine by 9 a.m. Saturday. The Ohio National Guard has been asked to oversee the development and implementation of these plans.

"We are headed into the eye of the storm," Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said Friday.

Don't miss the latest updates from health and government officials in Ohio on the coronavirus. Sign up for Patch newsletters and news alerts.

Ohio now has more than 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the health department announced Friday. Nineteen people have died from the virus. More than 275 people have been hospitalized because of it, and 107 people are currently in intensive care in Ohio, the health department said. Cuyahoga County leads the state in confirmed COVID-19 cases with 330.

"Everything we see on the ground, tells us this [surge] is coming," DeWine said.

Federal Stimulus And What It Means In Ohio

Sen. Rob Portman said during Friday's news conference that the stimulus bill approved by the U.S. House on Friday will provide funding for Ohio hospitals and medical officials to procure more personal protective equipment and increase manpower.

Portman also said the bill would provide emergency relief funding for Ohioans. Individuals who made $75,000 or less in 2018 will receive a direct deposit from the government for $1,200. Couples who filed jointly in 2018, and made $150,000 or less, will receive a direct deposit of $2,400.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said officials are still waiting for guidance on what the stimulus package will mean for contractors and self-employed workers. As soon as that guidance is provided, Husted said, the state will provide information on what it means for Ohioans.

He also reminded Ohioans that if they're having trouble accessing the state's unemployment website or call center, their benefits will be backdated to when they were first eligible.

Ohio Relief Bill Signed Into Law

When COVID-19 peaks in Ohio, there could be 10,000 new cases daily, Acton said. On Thursday, the state had 867 confirmed cases of COVID-19. On Friday, there were 1,137 confirmed cases.

Until the outbreak begins to slow, state officials must rely on social distancing protocols, DeWine said. Those protocols have led to record unemployment levels and sweeping changes to school and daily life.

DeWine signed a coronavirus relief omnibus bill on Friday afternoon. The new law includes the following key tenets:

• Absentee voting by mail will be extended until April 28 for the Ohio primary.
• State testing will be waived for the 2019-20 school year, and students who were on track to graduate will be allowed to graduate.
• EdChoice school buildings will be limited for the 2020-21 school year.
• Schools can use distance learning to make up for missed days or hours of instruction caused by statewide K-12 closures.
• The state tax deadline is moved from April 15 to July 15.
• State licenses will be valid for longer, and Ohioans will have a 90-day period to renew their licenses.
• Public bodies will be permitted to meet electronically, as long as the public can attend the meeting digitally.
• Water shut-offs are prohibited during the COVID-19 crisis.