Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Thursday, April 30

Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton. Today’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 Thursday: 

• Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
• 17,285 confirmed cases
• 742 probable cases  
• 18,027 total cases
• 3,533 hospitalizations
• 898 confirmed deaths
• 77 probable deaths
• 975 total deaths
• 1,035 ICU admissions
• More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE. 

• Governor DeWine announced today that Ohio has provided more than 1.1 million items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Ohio's state prisons. This includes: 108,000 N95 masks, 256,000 gloves, 684,000 procedure masks, 10,000 provider gowns, and 100,000 cloth masks for inmates. 

• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Director Annette Chambers Smith provided an overview of the steps taken within Ohio's state correction facilities to protect inmates and staff, as well as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities. Precautionary measures for inmates include increasing hygiene products, offering cloth face coverings, and preventing intermingling between inmate cohorts, among other efforts. 

• Mass testing at the Marion Correctional Institution revealed that approximately 96 percent of inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic, further demonstrating that individuals can spread the virus without knowing that they are infected. Mass testing also took place at the Pickaway Correctional Institution and the prison medical center in Columbus. ODRC plans to test inmates in all state prison facilities who are symptomatic, as well as those who are being released early or at the conclusion of their full sentences. Any inmates who have been granted early release and test positive for COVID-19 will not be released until medically cleared. 

• Additionally, ODRC has surged an ample amount of PPE to facility staff, and staff members at high-risk locations have also been offered the use of hotel rooms instead of going home or for showering before returning to their families. 

• Last month, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton signed a health order closing Ohio’s child care providers, except for those licensed to operate Temporary Pandemic Child Care. At that time, the Governor extended the program until April 30^th. Today, JFS announced that the Temporary Pandemic Child Care program will continue to serve the children of essential workers. If you have questions regarding Temporary Pandemic Child Care, please contact the ODJFS Child Care Help Desk at 1-877-302-2347 or at CCIDS_business_unit@jfs.ohio.gov. 

• Attached is the Responsible RestartOhio guide for healthcare services and a PowerPoint slide with Ohio’s sector opening dates. More detailed information on the Responsible RestartOhio plan can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio.  

• 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 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. 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.