Governor Mike DeWine is making moves to combat Coronavirus. That includes asking for early release for some inmates, deploying the National Guard, and manufacturing COVID-19 test kits. We’ve got the five major takeaways from today’s briefing.
COVID-19 Numbers
- Confirmed Cases – 3,312
- Hospitalizations – 895
- ICU Admissions – 288
- Deaths – 91
- Age range – less than 1 to 101
Ohio Department of Health Director, Dr. Amy Acton said that the numbers can be misleading because the majority of Ohioans have not been tested. Many people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 by their doctors have not been tested unless they have serious complication. She also cautioned that many people show no symptoms at all. There are also no numbers as to how many people have had the virus and recovered.
More Tests Coming
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says Ohio is working hard to get more tests out there. “I want to talk about Ohio ingenuity and what we are doing to try to deal with this. We need more testing and we need results quicker.”
He said that test results are coming back faster now that hospitals are following Dr. Acton’s orders to send their samples to Ohio hospitals or the Ohio Department of Health. He also said Ohio was taking matters into its own hands when it came to not having enough Coronavirus test kits.
“Ohio State University and the OHD have gotten together,” DeWine said. “They are focused on filling a couple of critical holes we have. Number 1 is swabs, liquid, and tubes needed for tests. We’re going to make sure these kits are produced in Ohio. For hospitals around the state, help is on the way. The other hole is in the testing machines. I’m told there’s a shortage of chemicals. I’m told were working on that.”
Guard On The Ground
The Ohio National Guard is on the ground in communities all over the state. They’re on a mission to help hospitals increase their capacity to care for the sick.
Adjutant General John C. Harris said, “We’re dialed in with a laser focus on this build out to make sure that when we hit the surge that nobody goes without healthcare.”
Harris said the state had the advantage of a three to four week lead on the virus and of learning lessons from what’s happened in other states and countries. “The facilities that we’re building out will be for less sick patients. What you’re going to see in our communities will not look like what you see in other states. You won’t see construction equipment. We’ll go into existing facilities and get them ready. It’s going to be different for every region. The sickest patients will land in the critical care units.”
Protect Your PC
General Harris also warned Ohioans that they need to think about their home cyber-security. “Our networks are working at a higher capacity than ever. It’s important to protect the network. Use your time to change your passwords and make sure your kids practice good cyber-hygiene. Update your anti-virus. We must protect the network.”
Get Out Of Jail
Governor DeWine said the he is sending letters to Ohio judges, asking them to consider some of Ohio’s 48,991 inmates for early release. “Not violent offenders. Not people who are sex offenders. These are not domestic abusers. Not murderers.”
DeWine said letters would be sent to the judges who originally sentenced the offenders asking them consider early release. Local prosecutors and victims of the crimes would have input into the process.
Thirty-eight inmates will be considered.
- 23 women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and have a baby with them in jail.
- 15 inmates 60 or older who are within 60 days of release.
The final decision will be made by local judges.
