Ohio Now Has 13 Coronavirus Cases, Virus Spreads Through State

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio now has at least 13 confirmed cases of new coronavirus, COVID-19, officials announced Friday. The Ohio Department of Health is waiting on COVID-19 test results for 159 Ohioans.

There have been four hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Ohio, but no deaths, officials said. Belmont, Butler, Cuyahoga, Stark, Summit and Trumbull counties all have confirmed cases, Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health director said. She said many of the new confirmed cases are not connected to other COVID-19 cases, meaning they are the result of community spread. Acton

"None of this should surprise us. None of this should alarm us," Gov. Mike DeWine said during a press conference on Friday. He expects "more and more" reports of COVID-19 because the virus has spread throughout the state. DeWine said he is unsure how long this health crisis will persist.

Acton estimated the outbreak could peak in late April to mid-May.

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Acton offered the following advice to Ohioans:

• Sick people should stay home.
• If someone in a home is sick, everyone living in the house should stay home as well.
• Social distancing and isolation should be practiced — meaning keep 6 feet away other people whenever possible, do not attend large social gatherings, stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to go into public.
• Continue to follow smart hygiene practices by washing your hands regularly.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Donate blood, if you can.

Orders and Requests

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said Ohio is requesting access to the federal reserve of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. He said those workers are at the front line of battling COVID-19 and they need to be protected.

The governor said he has issued "difficult" orders for Ohioans over the past week. He has banned gatherings of 100 people or more, closed schools for at least three weeks and restricted visitation in nursing homes, hospitals and prisons. On Friday, he issued an order applying to county jails and correction facilities banning visitation. He is also considering closing daycare facilities.

DeWine ordered all Ohio schools closed for three weeks starting Tuesday, March 17. He said there would be no exceptions to the closures.

"Quite candidly we don't know how long school buildings will be closed," DeWine said. He urged educators to find a way to extend learning outside the classroom.

The governor also banned all gatherings of 100 people or more on Thursday. He elaborated on Friday, saying his ban will extend to casinos.

Colleges around the state have gone to remote learning and banned face-to-face classes.

Catholics in Ohio have been given special dispensation to not attend mass. The Diocese of Cleveland urged sick and vulnerable congregants to stay home. Fish fries and other church events have also been canceled.

There are currently 1,714 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Forty-one Americans have died from the virus, the New York Times reported.