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Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for October 15

Below are the updates from yesterday's press conference with Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th at 2:00 PM.

Here’s the news from Thursday: 

Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:

  • 165,627 confirmed cases
  • 10,216 probable cases
  • 175,843 total cases
  • 16,824 hospitalizations
  • 4,730 confirmed deaths
  • 308 probable deaths
  • 5,038 total deaths
  • 3,507 ICU admissions
  • More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.

Governor DeWine released Ohio's updated Public Health Advisory System map:

  • Upgraded to Level 3 (Red): Adams, Clark, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Highland, Licking, Lucas, Stark, Summit, Union, and Warren.
  • Remaining at Level 3 (Red): Butler, Fayette, Hamilton, Lawrence, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Mercer, Montgomery, Muskingum, Pike, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Ross, and Scioto.
  • Downgraded to Level 2 (Orange): Ashland and Trumbull

Governor DeWine announced the state’s positivity rate was 5.4% and the seven-day average was 4.2%. This is up from September when the positivity rate was 2.7%. He reported that today Ohio has 1,042 COVID inpatients in hospitals, which is a significant increase from the 563 patients on September 20, 2020.

Governor DeWine spoke with Dr. Nick Dreherand and Dr. David Margolius from MetroHealth System. Dr. Margolius told Ohioans that if they are planning to spend time with family and friends, they need to do it safely, by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.  Dr. Dreher reminded Ohioans to continue following the proper prevention methods to avoid stress on Ohio’s hospital systems.

Lt. Governor Husted reminded Ohioans that today is the last day to respond to the 2020 Census. The Census determines the spending of $675 Billion in federal funds and what portion of that funding comes back to Ohio for schools, hospitals, public safety, roads, and bridges. Individuals can respond online at 2020Census.gov or by phone: In English – 844-330-2020 or in Spanish – 844-468-2020.

Attached are the slides that Governor DeWine used during the press conference.

Ohioans filed 20,090 initial jobless claims last week, according to statistics the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) reported to the U.S. Dept. of Labor today. There were 287,049 continued jobless claims filed last week, which was 489,253 fewer than – or less than half (about 37%) of – the peak earlier this year.

Over the last 30 weeks, ODJFS has distributed more than $6.9 billion in unemployment compensation payments to more than 821,000 Ohioans. Of the more than 1 million applications the agency has received, 95% have been processed, with 5% pending. In addition, ODJFS has issued more than $6.5 billion in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to more than 608,000 PUA claimants.

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.

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