Governor Mike DeWine made announcements about back-to-school dates and medical procedures today. We’ll break down the important points. He also gave updates to where the COVID-19 numbers stand in the state.
Back To Class
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says he wants kids back in the classroom this fall. “We fully intend to start school in the fall. Our goal is to have kids back in the classroom.”
DeWine said the state will provide broad health guidelines but that how to implement them is up to the local districts. “We fully recognize that the over 600 school districts are very different.”
Don’t expect to see any statewide mandate as to when classes should start. The governor said that decision would be left up to individual school districts.
Procedures May Resume
In other COVID-19 related news, Ohio’s hospitals and medical officers were given the all-clear to resume surgeries and other medical procedures that had been delayed.
Doctors must follow the following guidelines:
- Maintaining adequate inventories of PPE, supplies, equipment, and medicine;
- Creating a plan for conservation and monitoring use of PPE, other supplies, and equipment, that could include decontamination and reuse
- Maintaining a reliable supply chain to support their non-COVID-19 cases and to respond to an unexpected surge in COVID-19 cases, if needed.
- Defining processes for timely COVID-19 testing of patients and staff
- Continuing to use telehealth whenever possible.
COVID Cases
Statewide cases of COVID-19 stand at:
Suspected Cases – 36,350
Confirmed Cases – 33, 892
Suspected Deaths – 2,258
Confirmed Deaths 2,041
Scioto County – 18
According to the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, 407,000 Ohioans have been tested for COVID-19 so far.
Appalachian Growth Capital Loan Program
The Governor announced a new loan program to help businesses Scioto and other counties in the Appalachian region recover from the impact of COVID-19.
The program will offer loans to small businesses for up to $500,000 at 2 percent interest.
Click this link to learn how businesses can apply for assistance.