Ohio Passes 200 Coronavirus Deaths, 696K File For Unemployment

COLUMBUS, OH — More than 200 Ohioans have been killed by the new coronavirus, the state health department announced Thursday. More than 5,500 people have been infected by COVID-19 since the outbreak began in Ohio.

As of Thursday afternoon, at least 213 Ohioans have been killed due to complications from COVID-19. At least 5,512 Ohioans have contracted the virus, and 1,612 people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 health complications.

Testing for COVID-19 is still limited, so it is possible the virus is more widespread than the number indicate, state health officials have said. Hospitals throughout Ohio are preparing for a coming surge in cases, though that surge may be smaller than previously anticipated.

Strict social distancing measures have dramatically blunted the coming surge in coronavirus cases in Ohio, Dr. Amy Acton announced on Wednesday. During the virus' peak, Ohio could see approximately 1,600 new cases daily. That projection is down significantly from original estimates, which saw the peak hitting nearly 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily.

The surge has been blunted because of the efforts of Ohioans, Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday. Models have had to be altered because Ohioans have followed state mandates better than expected, the governor said.

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"We've done a great job. Is it time to celebrate? No, the game is not over," DeWine said.

Unemployment

More than 696,000 Ohioans have filed for unemployment over the past week, according to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced Thursday. Six million Americans filed for unemployment nationwide, the Department of Labor said.

Ohio officials expect a new unemployment portal for independent contractors, or 1099 tax filers, to be operational by mid-May. Husted said he hopes to have the site operating sooner, if possible.

Looking to the Future

DeWine said discussion has begun on how to restore Ohio's economy and way of life. While the state is still "in the middle of the ball game," officials are working on a "sophisticated" plan to bring normal living back to Ohio.

"We are working just as hard on how we come back from this as we were when we focused on the stay-at-home order. The only way we are going to be able to move forward is if we all continue to do what we're doing," DeWine said.

He said officials would begin laying out their future plans in coming weeks.

Building Face Shields

The Ohio Manufacturers' Association will begin developing face shields for medical workers, DeWine announced. The team went from prototype to development in just two weeks and will begin manufacturing soon.

The shields can be sterilized by hospitals and reused by doctors. The companies making the shields were previously manufacturing a wide array of goods, including toys and engine parts.

DeWine said manufacturers will be able to make 750,000 to 1 million face shields in five weeks. Those face shields will then be distributed to Ohio hospitals.

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