Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Thursday February 11, 2021

Below are the updates from Governor DeWine’s press conference. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 2:00 PM.

Here’s the news from Tuesday:  

Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
    *   805,971confirmed cases
    *   125,466 probable cases
    *   931,437 total cases
    *   48,269 hospitalizations
    *   11,104 confirmed deaths
    *   1,473 probable deaths
    *   11,793 total deaths
    *   6,908 ICU admissions
    *   More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UPDATE

• Governor DeWine announced today that Ohio received a total of 214,525 first doses of vaccine this week.
• A total of 223,025 first doses are scheduled to arrive in Ohio during the week of February 15.
• The federal retail pharmacy program will soon begin allotting doses to Ohio's more than 160 Rite Aid pharmacies.
• Vaccine distribution will also expand into all 194 Kroger pharmacies.
• Those with specific medical conditions that put them at a very high risk of dying from COVID-19 will be eligible for vaccinations next week.
• Ohioans born with the medical conditions outlined, or those who were diagnosed in early childhood whose conditions continued into adulthood, will qualify to be vaccinated beginning on February 15.
• Approximately 12,000 individuals with these severe medical conditions and developmental disabilities have already been vaccinated, and vaccinations of those in this group will continue.

NURSING HOME CASES

• Governor DeWine announced today that the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio's nursing homes has dropped more than 77 percent since late November.
• This dramatic drop in cases follows Ohio's aggressive efforts to vaccinate residents and staff in Ohio's long-term care facilities.
• As outlined in the attached chart, there were 2,697 COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities in Ohio during the week of November 29, 2020.
• During the week of January 17, there are 612 positive cases.

SCHOOL MODEL UPDATE 

• Governor DeWine shared the latest information on the number of school districts that are physically in school versus those that are fully or partially remote.
• As a condition to receive priority access to the vaccine, schools were required to commit to full or partial in-person learning by March 1. 
• All but one school district in Ohio have committed to this plan.

OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM 

• There was no change in this week's Ohio Public Health Advisory System map. 
• A county-by-county breakdown outlining the presence of COVID-19 in all of Ohio's 88 counties can be found on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System's website.

APPRENTICEOHIO MILESTONE 

• Lt. Governor Husted shared that the ApprenticeOhio program has reached an important milestone.
• More than 5,000 Ohioans have officially graduated from the ApprenticeOhio program since the start of the DeWine-Husted Administration.
• Ohio is currently ranked number one among states who run registered apprenticeships at the state level, and number four among states who run registered apprenticeships at the federal level.
• Many ApprenticeOhio programs are completed within two to four years. 
• ApprenticeOhio programs provide full-time work during the training period as well as competitive wages – allowing Ohioans to earn while they learn. 
• On average, apprentices in Ohio earn $60,000 a year without racking up student loan debt.
• Ohio offers apprenticeship opportunities in traditional fields like construction and manufacturing, and non-traditional apprenticeship fields like IT and healthcare. 
• Through this program, ApprenticeOhio program sponsors can grow their workforce, improve productivity, reduce turnover costs and increase employee retention. 
• More information can be found at apprentice.ohio.gov.

INVESTING IN OHIO:  OHIO’S FY 22-23 OPERATING BUDGET

Statements of Support for Governor DeWine’s Executive Budget

KIDS

“We appreciate the Governor’s continued commitment to children, especially to the many children and families experiencing a crisis due to the devastating effects of COVID-19.  This action recognizes that child care is an essential part of Ohio’s recovery and economic vitality.  This is an important step towards Governor DeWine’s goal of expanding child care eligibility to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, which would extend quality child care to an estimated 14,000-19,000 additional children, and we look forward to working with the Governor and Ohio General Assembly to reach that goal.”- Katie Kelly, Executive Director, PRE4CLE

HEALTHCARE

“Gov. DeWine’s executive budget emphasizes the vital role health care plays in leading a strong economy and a vibrant society for Ohio. Our communities and hospitals have endured a very heavy hardship from this pandemic and this new state budget actively engages on the important health care challenges facing our state. We appreciate the Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s budget investments in priority health and wellness programs that will build important inroads to support stronger and healthier communities across Ohio. We look forward to working with the Governor’s administration and the General Assembly to ensure a healthy Ohio.” - Mike Abrams, President and CEO, Ohio Hospital Association

RECOVERY

“Prevention Action Alliance thanks the DeWine Administration for its leadership and thoughtful consideration in developing a budget to meet the challenges facing the State as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and continuing substance misuse crisis. We are appreciative of this budget’s protection of the continuum of care, with its commitment to ensure that prevention, treatment, and recovery services are available to all Ohio residents. Prevention Action Alliance supports the development of a framework to reduce the impact of mental, emotional, and behavioral health related problems, including substance misuse, and the provision of early intervention to young people. The pandemic has underscored the importance of providing evidence-based prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery services to all Ohioans. The initiatives proposed in the budget will ensure that resiliency and health are the outcomes achieved for all individuals and communities. We recognize the strength of community based solutions and support the budget priority that empowers families and communities. Prevention Action Alliance applauds the DeWine Administration for its commitment to an equitable system of care, and that identifying and meeting the needs of all people in every community in Ohio will be a priority.” - Fran Gerbig, Executive Director, Prevention Action Alliance


Attached are the slides that Governor DeWine used during today’s press conference. 

Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.

As always, Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions.