State Of The State Address Delayed In Ohio Due To Coronavirus

COLUMBUS, OH — Gov. Mike DeWine will not deliver the annual State of the State address on March 31, when the speech was originally scheduled to be given. The governor announced this week that the address will be postponed due to the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

DeWine is constitutionally required to communicate the condition of the state to the General Assembly at least once per session. However, DeWine and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder announced the delay of the address on Thursday.

“Over the past several weeks, Ohio has taken unprecedented steps in response to the global coronavirus crisis -- all aimed at keeping our fellow citizens safe. The world’s leading medical experts recommend the continued practice of “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus and 'flatten the curve’ to prevent overwhelming our healthcare facilities," the trio said in a joint statement.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio continues to rise, officials announced Thursday afternoon. Fifteen Ohioans have died from the virus, the Ohio Department of Health said, an increase of five deaths since Wednesday.

There are at least 867 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, officials said Thursday. More than 90 Ohioans are in intensive care units because of the virus and 223 people have been hospitalized because of COVID-19.

State legislators and DeWine worked together to pass an omnibus bill on Wednesday to address the financial and social impacts of the virus.