Complete Story
 

Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Monday, May 4

Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, 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 Monday: 

  • Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
    • 19,609 confirmed cases
    • 865 probable cases  
    • 20,474 total cases
    • 3,809 hospitalizations
    • 975 confirmed deaths
    • 81 probable deaths
    • 1,056 total deaths
    • 1,090 ICU admissions
    • More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE. 
  • Governor DeWine today provided an update on Ohio's plan for increased COVID-19 testing.  A new partnership announced last week between the state of Ohio, Thermo Fisher, and ROE Dental Scientific will allow for a steady supply of testing reagent and swabs. With Ohio's new increased testing capacity, Ohio will prioritize testing in three groupsAttached is more information (Covid 19 Testing Guidance 05.04.20).  
  • Lt. Governor Husted announced today that, although opening dates for individual locations have not yet been finalized, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) deputy registrars around the state may begin reopening as early as later this month. Upon reopening, every deputy registrar will offer online the Ohio BMV's Get In Line, Online program that was launched by Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted as a pilot project last year. In preparation for reopening, deputy registrars are also reactivating and hiring staff, making accommodations to their facilities to ensure social distancing, and ensuring that safety measures are in place, such as cough/sneeze shields, at customer-facing workstations.  
  • Attached are recommendations for water supply flushing for reopening of buildings under the statewide COVID-19 transition plan, and guidance for premise plumbing water service restoration. 
  • 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.

Printer-Friendly Version