Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Tuesday, April 14

Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Dr. Acton. Today’s press conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM.  You can watch this on the Ohio Channel, Ohio Public TV (PBS stations), and other Columbus-based outlets.    

Here’s the news from Tuesday: 

• Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
• 7,153 confirmed cases
• 127 probable cases  
• 7,280 total cases
• 2,156 hospitalizations
• 309 confirmed deaths
• 15 probable deaths
• 324 total deaths
• 654 ICU admissions
• More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.  

• In addition to previous emergency measures taken by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) to help increase access to healthcare for millions of Ohioans, Governor DeWine announced today that his administration is submitting its first waiver application to the federal government, known as 1135 or Appendix K, to provide the needed flexibility to address this crisis. The waiver will allow Ohio to bolster telehealth and other technology to be used to do health assessments and care planning; waive signature requirements for a variety of providers to ensure safe distancing without compromising access to care; ease obstacles to access nursing home care; allow services to be provided at alternative locations; and remove staffing level requirements to give providers more flexibility.  Once the federal government approves the waiver, it will be retroactively applied from March 1, 2020. 

• To protect our first responders and to ensure consistency across the state, Dr. Amy Acton announced that a new order has been issued that requires local health departments to provide to their jurisdictions' dispatch agency or agencies the names and addresses of COVID-19-positive individuals. Dispatch agencies are required to keep this information confidential. By knowing in advance if they will be interacting with someone who has tested positive, first responders will be better prepared when they arrive at a scene with appropriate protective gear. Attached is a copy of the order. 

• As a reminder, the Dispute Resolution Commission will evaluate and render guidance in situations where two local health departments have come to a different conclusion for similar businesses on what is or is not an essential business. To submit a dispute, fill out this Dispute Resolution Form.  For questions, email Dispute.Resolution@odh.ohio.gov. 

• Attached are the following documents: A checklist for safe food handling for retail food stores, restaurants, and pick-up and delivery services; modeling FAQs; a checklist for companies purchasing antibody test kits; a checklist for long term care facilities notifying residents and their families of positive COVID-19 tests (announced yesterday, the order is forthcoming); a graphic (see below) outlining PPE needed for healthcare workers based on exposure and patient symptoms.

• 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.