04/16/2020

COVID-19 Update: Governor DeWine Wants to Slowly Reopen the State

The plan is to start relaxing all of the current standards on May 1

Today, Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, M.D., M.P.H., provided an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio and discussed how the state will develop its plan to reopen the economy.

There are 8,414 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 389 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 2,331 people have been hospitalized, including 707 admissions to intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

“Ohioans have done a great job, a phenomenal job, fighting back, staying home and ensuring physical distancing," said DeWine. "We’ve been doing all the things that needed to be done. I’ve never been prouder to be an Ohioan and I’m very grateful for what you have done. You have flattened the curve." 

Beginning May 1, the state will begin a phased-in reopening of the state economy.  The plan will be fact-driven over a long period of time to minimize the health risk to business owners, employees, and their customers. In consultation with Acton, Lt. Governor Jon Husted will lead the governor’s board of economic advisors to identify best practices, similar to the current requirements on essential business operations to ensure Ohioans health and safety as businesses begin the process of reopening.

DeWine also announced he will work closely with the Governors of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana and Kentucky to reopen the region’s economy in a coordinated way. The states will review four factors as they reopen their economies: the number of cases in the state and the number of hospital admissions, the amount of hospital capacity, the ability to test and trace cases of COVID-19 and best practices for social distancing in businesses.