Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Dr. Acton. There is no press conference currently scheduled for today. The normal press conference schedule will resume on Thursday (5/14).   

Here’s the news from Tuesday: 

• Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
• 23,809 confirmed cases
• 1,441 probable cases  
• 25,250 total cases
• 4,539 hospitalizations
• 1,303 confirmed deaths
• 133 probable deaths
• 1,436 total deaths
• 1,232 ICU admissions
• More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.  

• Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture for its Pandemic EBT plan. The approval will allow ODJFS to distribute SNAP benefits to 850,000 students across Ohio who relied on free or reduced-price meal programs when school was in session to have access to a hot, nutritious meal. Families will receive approximately $300 to purchase healthy and nutritious foods to feed their children. These benefits amount to more than $250 million that will go to our grocery stores and other eligible retailers.  

• Lt. Governor Husted announced today that sectors licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio, including massage therapy, acupuncture, cosmetic therapy will be permitted to reopen on May 15 with the implementation of proper safety measures. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices is attached.  

• Tattoo and body piercing services will also be permitted to reopen on May 15 with the implementation of proper safety measures. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices is attached.  

• Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy announced the Stay Connected program which will provide a daily check-in by phone for Ohioans ages 60 or older.  If no one answers after three attempts, a call is then made to an alternate contact (if provided) or to non-emergency services.  The service can be canceled at any time. Staying Connected is not an emergency response service, and participants should always use 911 or their emergency response system if they are injured or in need of emergency assistance. Eligible Ohioans can sign up at aging.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-266-4346.  

• The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the following unemployment claims processing numbers: 1,067,500 unduplicated total filed; 89.4% resolved (either approved, denied or withdrawn) 955,091; 10.5% pending (112,409).  

• 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.