In a special primetime address Wednesday night, Gov. Mike DeWine urged Ohioans to take the appropriate actions needed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Since the beginning of July, the number of coronavirus cases in Ohio has increased by almost 20,000. Furthermore, since June 1 the state’s COVID-19 cases have doubled, according to covidtracking.com data.
“Today, more Ohioans are getting sick than at any previous point in this pandemic. We are sliding down a very dangerous path, with our once flattened-curve starting to sharpen and spike,” said Governor DeWine. “This is a worrisome, disturbing reversal of our progress – a jarring reminder of just how quickly our fate can change.”
The governor said if immediate action is not taken to stop the spread of the Chinese virus then Ohio could be headed towards what is happening in Florida and Arizona in terms of increased coronavirus cases.
DeWine said during his press conference the new cases are not just a result of new testing. The governor said testing has increased 87 percent. According to covidtracking.com data, the percentage of Ohioans testing positive for the coronavirus as of July 16 is below 7 percent. When the coronavirus first came to Ohio, the percentage of people testing positive was 4.7 percent.
Nationally, around 8 percent of Americans are testing positive for the coronavirus, according to covidtracking.com.
As of July 16, Ohio has seen 9,324 hospitalizations and 3,103 deaths, the Ohio Department of Health information shows.
DeWine reminded Ohioans during his speech that face coverings are an effective way to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Last week, the governor mandated Ohio counties that are currently in Red Alert Level 3 Public Health Emergency, which is a county that has high exposure and spread of COVID-19, to wear face coverings. Currently, 12 counties fall under this order.
DeWine called on Ohioans to unite once again to fight the coronavirus.
“We must work together, support each other, and help each other through this challenging time. I’ve seen you do this. I know you can do this. Ohioans can continue to help our most vulnerable, while also protecting ourselves and our families,” he said. “Together, we can be the Ohio where our hospitals are not overwhelmed, where our schools can open, where sports can start, and where our economy can continue to grow.”
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Mike DeWine” by The Ohio Channel.
