05/18/2020

2020-05-18 OH Gov. DeWine COVID-19 Update

Monday, May 18	26646 Confirmed Cases	28454 Total Cases (CDC)	4998 Number of Hospitalizations	1328 ICU Admissions	1504 Confirmed Deaths	1657 Total Deaths (CDC)
Sunday, May 17	26220 Confirmed Cases	27923 Total Cases (CDC)	4921 Number of Hospitalizations	1305 ICU Admissions	1472 Confirmed Deaths	1625 Total Deaths (CDC)
Saturday, May 16	25836 Confirmed Cases	27474 Total Cases (CDC)	4870 Number of Hospitalizations	1300 ICU Admissions	1457 Confirmed Deaths	1610 Total Deaths (CDC)
Friday, May 15	25349 Confirmed Cases	26954 Total Cases (CDC)	4791 Number of Hospitalizations	1277 ICU Admissions	1431 Confirmed Deaths	1581 Total Deaths (CDC)
Thursday, May 14	24800 Confirmed Cases	26357 Total Cases (CDC)	4718 Number of Hospitalizations	1268 ICU Admissions	1388 Confirmed Deaths	1534 Total Deaths (CDC)

Updated daily at 2 p.m. - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/ 

 

We invited you to join us on Thursday, May 21 from 3:00 – 3:30 pm ET for a discussion with U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Rocky River), member of the House Financial Services Committee, to discuss the early challenges of the CARES Act, including PPP loan eligibility and forgiveness issues, and Rep. Gonzalez’s vision to restart the economy.  Please RSVP at: Webinar registration

 

New orders/actions/measures

 

• No new orders were issued.
• The Dept. of Public Safety Special Investigation Unit will be working with local law enforcement and health departments to step up enforcement of opening protocols by restaurants and bars after reports that many were not following them over the weekend.

 

The Governor was clearly disappointed by reports that many restaurants, bars and their patrons were not following the opening protocols this weekend.  Restaurants and bars were allowed to open for outdoor seating on Friday, May 15.  He again stressed that a successful reopening of the economy is linked to continued observation of the protocols and social distancing.  The Governor took the time to read from the order outlining the social distancing requirements – stressing the 6 foot separation rules and the requirement that customers must be seated in bars and restaurants, customers can’t stand in groups.  He said the business owner needs to not open if they cannot control the environment.  Consequently, enforcement efforts will be stepped up.  The Governor announced:

 

• Ohio Dept. of Public Safety Special Investigation Unit will be expanded and will join with law enforcement and health officials across the state to do safety compliance checks on restaurants and bars.
• Businesses found violating the order will be issued administrative citations, which could result in the revocation of the business’s liquor license.
• They will also help coordinate law enforcement and local health officials with municipal prosecutors for potential criminal prosecutions.

 

In response to questions from the media, the Governor said that he was pleased that most restaurants and bars were in compliance but he was not surprised that there were some that were not.  While he doesn’t have exact numbers from across the state, he did say he believed 8 citations were issued in Columbus and at least one was issued in Medway. 

 

Lt. Governor Husted also expressed his concerns that some business were not following the protocols – protocols that were developed by the industry and health officials.  He stressed that while citizens need to comply, that the business is ultimately accountable for ensuring compliance.  He said that enforcement will be used for any business that persists in opening when they cannot or will not comply.  Husted also added that local health departments can impose more stringent requirements than the state’s protocols as the situation warrants.

 

Lt. Governor Husted said they are beginning to coordinate with education officials and the Ohio High School Athletic Association on how to allow training for student athletes.  He also again said that churches are not closed under the order, but he urged churches to seriously consider the standard safety protocols and exercise good judgment as to whether they can provide a safe environment for parishioners. 

 

The first patients in a state mental health facility have tested patients.  The patients in the 25-person unit at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Columbus are being separated and will all be tested.  All staff and residents are being monitored and use of PPE and precautions are being heightened.  Daily updates on the status of the state’s behavioral health facilities are posted on the state’s coronavirus webpage.  Additionally, on Thursday of last week, 4 residents in the Sandusky Veteran Home tested positive for COVID-19.  At the end of last week, the Governor asked that all residents and staff of the two veteran homes be tested.  As of this morning, all approximately 700 staff and 500 residents of the two homes have been tested.  Thus far, the results of about 50% of the tests are in and there are no cases yet in the Georgetown facility and in Sandusky, 23 residents and 3 staff have tested positive. 

 

Governor DeWine announced the death of another correctional officer, a nurse in the Orient facility.  That is a total of 3 staff members and 61 incarcerated adults to date.  DRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith joined the press conference this afternoon and acknowledged that community spread is widespread in the prisons.  DRC is still testing inmates where it is clinically called for – including when people enter the system, before healthcare procedures, prior to leaving, when symptomatic or when they come in contact in with a positive individual.  This allows quarantining and contact tracing.  They’ve also started to use anti-body testing.  About 17% of the state’s prison population has been tested to date.  She also mentioned that about 2100 people have left the system since mid-March, allowing more spacing.  But DRC is also now very focused on treatment because they have to assume widespread infection where moment in time testing is not as helpful.  Director Chambers-Smith also noted that the Marion Correctional Institution, an early hotspot, is doing well – approximately 1600 individuals have recovered.  Belmont Correctional Institution is the latest hotspot.  The National Guard has moved there and the Highway Patrol is helping maintain the perimeter. 

 

Stacey, another Ohioan who has survived coronavirus, joined the press conference today to speak about her experience.  She spent 2 months in the hospital and was intubated and on the ventilator for part of that time.  Stacey encouraged people to be mindful of the seriousness of the virus.  She asked people to practice social distancing and wear masks.  She was particularly thankful for all of the healthcare providers that cared for her during her stay in the hospital and recovery. 

 

Governor DeWine noted that the Minority Health Strike Force’s work to address healthcare disparities amongst Ohio’s minority communities is continuing and on Thursday he will have a more detailed update on work done to date and upcoming plans.

 

Note: For an archive of all COVID-19 related First Alerts from Calfee, which are separate from these emails and focused on specific business topics, please visit the Calfee COVID-19 Resource Center: https://www.calfee.com/covid-19-resource-center

 

Other items of note

 

• The coronavirus pandemic has sickened more than 4,705,400 people, according to official counts. As of Monday morning, at least 315,000 people have died, and the virus has been detected in at least 177 countries.  More than 1,493,600 people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 89,500 have died, according to a New York Times database.
• The mayor of Dallas cited policy changes that eased restrictions on businesses in early May as a likely reason the state saw a jump in coronavirus cases — just as Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is expected to announce further reopening measures Monday.  Over the weekend, the state reported 1,801 new cases of the novel coronavirus, the highest single-day total since the outbreak began. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson (D) on Sunday said the rise in cases is “more than likely” related to the reopening of businesses such as movie theaters and restaurants, which are operating at reduced capacity to enable physical distancing.  “These things sort of lag,” Johnson said during an appearance on CNN. “The decision is made, and then you don’t see the results in the cases until a couple of weeks later.”
• Moderna, the Massachusetts biotechnology company behind a leading effort to create a vaccine for the coronavirus, announced promising early results from its first human safety tests Monday and a plan to launch a large clinical trial in July aimed at showing whether the vaccine works.  The company reported that in eight patients who had been followed for a month and a half, the vaccine at low and medium doses triggered blood levels of virus-fighting antibodies similar to or greater than those found in coronavirus patients who had recovered. The antibody-rich blood plasma donated by patients who have recovered is separately being tested to determine whether it is an effective therapy for covid-19.  The vaccine showed no worrisome safety signals, aside from redness at the injection site for one patient and some “systemic” symptoms in three patients given the highest dose, the company said.
• As House Republicans try to trim the power of the state health director, the Columbus Dispatch reports that Gov. Mike DeWine tried to partially scale back the reach of state health orders in his first state budget early last year. However, the House removed the changes.  Dispatch.com
• Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton has inspired widespread praise for her forceful coronavirus response. However, Acton has also become a target for protesters who have descended on her home, as well as state lawmakers who have voted to strip some of her powers. The Washington Post writes the backlash against Acton reflects a broader rebuke of the medical advisers who are counseling caution as the nation enters its third month since COVID-19 shutdowns began.  WashingtonPost.com

 

Ohio COVID-19 Data Curves

 

The following are graphic representations of reported cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths using Ohio Department of Health data and expanded CDC definitions.

 

 

Friday – 244,577 tested – 2.09% of the population - 12,782 additional tests since Thursday

Saturday – 254,914 tested – 2.18% of the population - 10,337 additional tests since Friday

Sunday – 262,759 – 2.25% of the population – 7,845 additional tests since Saturday

Monday – 270,041 – 2.31% of the population – 7,282 additional tests since Sunday

 

Key websites

 

General state updates - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/

Office of Small Business Relief - https://businesshelp.ohio.gov/ 

Data dashboard - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/dashboard

Dispute Resolution Commission - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/families-and-individuals/stay-at-home-information/Guidance-on-Dispute-Resolutions-for-Essential-and-Non-Essential-Businesses

Ventilator inventory - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/vent-inventory. 

Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 - https://repurposingproject.com/ 

Election information - https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/  

Closure order FAQ - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/Stay-at-Home-Information/Stay-At-Home-Order-Frequently-Asked-Questions

Unemployment compensation - http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm

Mental health resources - https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addiction-Treatment/Emergency-Preparedness/Coronavirus

Ohio benefits application - https://benefits.ohio.gov/

SharedWork Ohio - http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/

Support resources for adults - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/resources/resources-for-adults-coping-with-the-covid-19-pandemic

Find your local health district - https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/find-local-health-districts

Job openings - https://jobseeker.ohiomeansjobs.monster.com/home.aspx

COVID-19 checklists - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/COVID-19-Checklists/ 

Business resources - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/resources-for-economic-support

Banking pandemic resources and relief programs - https://www.ohiobankersleague.com/customers 

Pandemic child care center information - http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/CoronavirusAndChildcareForFamilies/ 

Checklist for essential travel - https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/stay-at-home-information/essential-travel

 

 

 

 

Maryellen K. Corbett​ Attorney at Law mcorbett@calfee.com 614.621.7754 Office 614.621.0010 Fax Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP 1200 Huntington Center ​41 South High Street Columbus ,  OH    43215‑3465   vCard Calfee.com | Info@Calfee.com | 888.CALFEE1 Please visit Calfee’s COVID-19 Resource Center containing First Alerts to help guide you through the challenges faced by individuals and organizations as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak or subscribe to receive the most up-to-date Alerts sent directly to your email inbox. This electronic mail transmission may contain confidential and legally privileged information from the law firm of Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP intended only for the use of the individual(s) identified as addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this electronic mail transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me by telephone immediately.