Coronavirus Won't Peak Until At Least May 1, Ohio Governor Says

COLUMBUS, OH — Gov. Mike DeWine said officials hope the new coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak will peak on May 1. Until the outbreak begins to slow, state officials must rely on social distancing protocols, DeWine said.

"All our decisions have been based on the best information we could get. The essential job of the government is to protect people, especially the most vulnerable. These decisions weren't easy but they were based on protecting Ohioans' lives," DeWine said

There are now more than 700 cases of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, in Ohio. There are also two new confirmed deaths, bringing the total deaths from COVID-19 in Ohio to 10.

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The deaths have occurred in the following counties: Cuyahoga (2), Erie (1), Franklin (2), Gallia (1), Lucas (1), Miami (1) and Stark (2). There are also 182 people currently hospitalized in Ohio because of COVID-19.

Dr. Amy Acton said more than 20 percent of Ohioans who contract COVID-19 are hospitalized, and 11 percent are in intensive care units. Acton said Ohio will need to double its capacity for intensive care units in the coming weeks.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted also announced changes in the state's licensing programs to make commercial driver's licenses easier to obtain. The Home Energy Assistance Program will be extended till May 1 to help Ohioans, Husted added.

Husted also addressed the surge in use of the state's unemployment website. He said the website had previously been overwhelmed by traffic and crashed, but state employees had worked hard to restore the website and it is now functioning properly. The lieutenant governor said he would continue to monitor the unemployment website's operation.

He added that federal financial assistance in the stimulus package could also provide relief for contract workers and self-employed workers in Ohio.

Update on Essential Business Order

Tuesday was the first day for Ohio's "stay at home" order. The order directs non-essential businesses to close and says Ohioans can only leave their home only if it is absolutely necessary.

The order bars public and private gatherings. All gatherings of 10 or more people are specifically prohibited. All entertainment venues have been ordered closed, including zoos, movie theaters, water parks, aquariums and amusement parks. Enforcement of the order can be carried out by state and local law enforcement.

Husted said businesses that are wondering whether or not the non-essential business order applies to them should read the order and prepare documentation about their necessity. Local boards of health and police departments cannot interpret the order for companies, Husted said.

DeWine said there was a limit to how specific he and Husted could be while writing the list of non-essential businesses. Instead of trying to itemize individual businesses, Ohio's leaders decided to follow guidelines issued by Homeland Security.

DeWine said the state is already starting to take action against companies that are disobeying the order.

Husted said one of the facets of Ohio's mandate which makes it unique is the clause saying any business — essential or non-essential — must follow safety and health guidelines, like social distancing. If the business does not follow the safety protocols, they state could shut them down, Husted said.