More Businesses Ordered Closed: Ohio Coronavirus Update

COLUMBUS, OH — With at least 88 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Ohio as of Wednesday afternoon and the state's testing capacity limited, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new round of business closures and said businesses should check their employees' temperatures before they begin work.

Ohio is closing tattoo parlors, barbershops, salons and nearly 200 hundred Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations statewide to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. The legislature will consider installing a grace period for Ohioans who cannot renew their license, and police will be instructed to not ticket anyone with an expired license.

Companies are being asked to test employees' temperatures before they begin work. Sick employees should be sent home to self-quarantine and companies throughout the state should expand their cleaning regiment.

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The Ohio National Guard is also being called in to help hospitals erect tents to screen patients for the virus, DeWine announced. The guard will also assist food banks around the state with distribution and sorting of donations.

Limited Testing

Ohio's testing capacity for the new coronavirus, COVID-19, is limited, DeWine said Wednesday. The state's testing capacity is unlikely to increase in coming weeks, the governor said. He urged most Ohioans to stay home and self-isolate if they begin to feel sick.

"The vast majority of Ohioans who have symptoms do not need to get tested for this," DeWine said. The vast majority of infected people will not need to be hospitalized, DeWine said.

Ohio officials warned that a surge in COVID-19 cases is likely to spread across Ohio. That spike in cases will strain Ohio's hospital systems and threatens the state's reserve of protective equipment for medical professionals.

"The virus is here and we are at war with it. And we are at war with a very lethal enemy," DeWine said.

Ohio now has 88 confirmed cases of COVID-19 the Ohio Department of Health announced Wednesday. Twenty-six people are currently hospitalized with the virus. The youngest infected person is 2 and the oldest infected person is 91.

There are confirmed cases in 19 Ohio counties: Ashland (1), Belmont (2), Butler (8), Coshocton (2), Cuyahoga (38), Darke (1), Delaware (1), Franklin (7), Geauga (1), Huron (1), Lake (2), Lorain (6), Lucas (1), Mahoning (3), Medina (4), Stark (3), Summit (4), Trumbull (2) and Tuscarawas (1).

Ohio will see a surge of COVID-19 cases, according to Dr. Amy Acton, director of the state health department. Officials are now trying to secure protective equipment for medical professionals and hospital beds for the sick.

Safety Tips

Ohioans are being urged to practice social distancing — limiting their exposure to other people — until the outbreak slows. Health officials said Ohioans should follow many of the same health and safety tips they practice during flu season to help halt the spread of the new coronavirus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

The Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 call center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 833-4-ASK-ODH (833-427-5634). Workers will answer any questions about the virus and the state's response.

More COVID-19 coverage from Patch:

Cleveland Needs More Hospital Beds For Coronavirus: Study —As of 2018, Cleveland, OH had 7,230 total hospital beds, of which about 64% were occupied, potentially leaving only 2,630 beds open for additional patients.

Macy's Temporarily Closes All Locations — Macy's announced Tuesday that it will be closing all stores, including all locations in Ohio, until March 31 in a response to the growing new coronavirus crisis.

'We Do Not Want To Be Overrun': Ohio Coronavirus Update — With increases seen in new coronavirus cases, Ohio health officials said Tuesday they expect a surge in patients with the disease that could lead to a shortage of medical equipment and delays in medical access for some.