Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Monday, November 30
Below are the updates from Governor DeWine’s press conference. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Thursday, December 3rd at 2:00 PM.
Here’s the news from yesterday:
- Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
- 398,371 confirmed cases
- 22,692 probable cases
- 421,063 total cases
- 26,864 hospitalizations
- 6,009 confirmed deaths
- 420 probable deaths
- 6,429 total deaths
- 4,682 ICU admissions
- More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
- Ohio's COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit an all-time high at 5,060 people hospitalized with the coronavirus across Ohio as compared to just under 1,700 COVID-19 patients on November 1. Of Ohio's currently hospitalized COVID-19 patients, there are 1,180 individuals in intensive care units and 682 people are on ventilators. According to Dr. Thomas, one-third of ICU patients have COVID and one-third of individuals on ventilators have COVID.
- Dr. Thomas reported that rural areas are being hit particularly hard right now, and several hospitals are beginning to voice concerns about their ability to manage such a high number of intensive care patients. As the total number of COVID patients grows, smaller community hospitals will be unable to expand their intensive care capacity.
- Additionally, Dr. Thomas urged individuals who traveled over Thanksgiving to quarantine to break any possible chain of transmission.
- Governor DeWine today announced a new program to help improve indoor air quality and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 at senior living facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers. The $28 million program (funded through CARES Act funding) was created to address indoor air quality through HVAC inspections, portable air filtration systems, new filtration systems, maintenance on current systems, and other interventions. Eligible recipients can receive up to $15,000.
- The program was approved by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors at a special meeting Wednesday. BWC will administer the program and applications are available at bwc.ohio.gov. Additional questions about the program should be emailed to grants@bwc.state.oh.us.
- Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Ohio, Governor DeWine has delayed Ohio's plan to resume in-person work at state-owned facilities. A gradual, phased approach was expected to begin in January. Governor DeWine also encouraged other employers to allow employees to work at home to the extent possible.
- During today's briefing, Governor DeWine was joined by four nurses who discussed their experiences treating patients with coronavirus. You can listen to their full remarks here.
- On this final day of National Adoption Month, Governor DeWine encouraged Ohioans to consider fostering or adopting a child. In Ohio, there are 3,000 children waiting for a family, including 11-year-old Alex, who is featured in this video.
- Attached are the slides that Governor DeWine used during today’s press conference.
- 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.