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Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Monday March 30

Below are the updates from yesterday's press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Dr. Acton. Tomorrow’s press conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM.  You can watch this on the Ohio Channel, Ohio Public TV (PBS stations), and other Columbus-based outlets.   

Here’s the news from Monday:

  • In Ohio there are 1,933 confirmed cases, 163 ICU admissions, 475 hospitalizations, and 39 deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.  
  • Last night the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Columbus-based Battelle to sterilize surgical masks in Ohio without a daily limit. Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted thank the FDA for their quick reconsideration of this issue. If your organization needs to connect with Battelle regarding COVID-19 mitigation efforts and support, please call the Battelle customer service hotline : +1 800-201-2011 (prompt #2) or visit the Battelle website and complete the contact form HERE. 
  • There will be an extension of the K-12 order closing school buildings through Friday, May 1, 2020. The original order was only in effect for 3 weeks. The administration will again reevaluate the order once we get closer to May 1, 2020.  I will share a copy of the order once it’s complete.  
  • Governor DeWine is asking all local communities to include homeless shelters in their planning so that we can help support these Ohioans to meet social distancing guidelines. Additionally, Governor DeWine has created a Homelessness Team dedicated to this specific issue. If you or your organization have questions or recommendations related to this, please email COVID19Housing@mha.ohio.gov
  • The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) is receiving reports of spam calls to Ohioans from individuals claiming to be from the Ohio EMA and requesting personal protected information, such as a Social Security number. Please note the Ohio EMA will NOT call you asking for personal information. More information is available HERE
  • 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 7 am to 7 pm and 9 am to 1pm on Saturdays. 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.

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