COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday said Ohio will phase in the re-opening of the state economy, beginning May 1.
The announcement came in his daily briefing on the state’s efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ohioans have done a great job, a phenomenal job, fighting back, staying home, ensuring physical distancing. We’ve been doing all the things that needed to be done,” DeWine said.
“I’ve never been prouder to be an Ohioan and I’m very grateful for what you have done. You have flattened the curve,” DeWine said.
DeWine said the plan will be fact-driven over a long period of time to minimize the health risk to business owners, employees, and their customers.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted will lead the governor’s board of economic advisers 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.
REGIONAL COALITION
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.
He said the states will review four factors as they reopen 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.
CURRENT OHIO DATA:
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.
According to Richland Public Health, Richland County has 48 cumulative positive COVID-19 cases with 17 cumulative hospitalizations and one death. The department said 18 people on the cumulative list have recovered.
For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
