Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Monday March 22, 2021
Below are the updates from Governor DeWine’s press conference. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Thursday March 25th at 2:00pm.
Here’s the news from Monday:
- Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
- 851,248 confirmed cases
- 149,946 probable cases
- 1,001,194 total cases
- 52,207 hospitalizations
- 18,340 Ohio resident deaths
- 18,347 deaths in State of Ohio
- 7,339 ICU admissions
- 143.8 cases per 100,000 Ohioans (updated weekly on Thursdays and can be found HERE)
- More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
VACCINATION APPOINTMENT BOOKING
While most of Ohio's current vaccine providers are quickly filling all vaccination appointments, some locations are seeing less demand for the vaccine.
- In response, Governor DeWine announced that local health departments and hospitals that are having a hard time filling appointments with individuals who are currently eligible for the vaccine may book appointments with anyone 16 years old and older.
Currently, anyone age 40 or older is eligible to receive the vaccine.
- Eligibility will drop to any Ohioan age 16 and up beginning on March 29.
CLEVELAND MASS VACCINATION UPDATE
As of today, more than 30,000 people have been vaccinated at the state-federal mass vaccination clinic at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center.
NURSING HOME/ASSISTED LIVING VISITATION
The Ohio Department of Health will issue an updated order related to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
- The general visitation requirements will remain the same, including the requirement that visitors schedule appointments in advance, are screened at the door, and wear masks.
- Changes to the order include:
- Ohio is requiring that visitation be permitted whenever safety protocols can be met. Previously, visitation was permitted, not required;
- Vaccinated residents may have physical touch with their visitor while wearing a mask. Previously, touch was discouraged;
- Visits may occur in a resident’s private room, as opposed to the previous requirement of a separate visitation area;
- 30 minutes should serve as the minimum amount of time for a visit. Previously, 30 minutes was the maximum time to visit.
- The order will also expand the circumstances in which compassionate care visits should be granted.
- In addition, the order will update nursing home and assisted living testing requirements to require the facilities to test vaccinated staff once per week and unvaccinated staff twice per week.
- The previous order made no distinction between vaccinated or unvaccinated staff.
- Certain circumstances, such as a facility outbreak, may necessitate that visitation be restricted on a case-by-case basis.
- Nursing homes must also continue following federal regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
CASE DATA & VACCINE INFORMATION
Attached are the slides 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.