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Governor DeWine Press Conference Summary for Thursday, November 12
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, November 17th at 2:00 PM.
Here’s the news from Thursday:
- Ohio’s COVID-19 case data is below:
- 259,499 confirmed cases
- 14,958 probable cases
- 274,457 total cases
- 21,558 hospitalizations
- 5,316 confirmed deaths
- 342 probable deaths
- 5,658 total deaths
- 4,143 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): Brown, Delaware, Erie, Hancock, Jackson, Knox, Miami, Paulding, Seneca, Shelby, Williams, and Wood
- Downgraded to Level 2 (Orange): None
- Watchlist Counties: Tuscarawas and Franklin
- Governor DeWine announced that the state is setting aside $30 million to assist the state’s 113 local health departments. Each department will receive $200,000 and will have the flexibility to determine how to best use the funds as they see fit to fight COVID-19.
- As part of the Administration’s efforts to continue sharing information about COVID-19, our team has created several “Coalition Communication Fact Sheets” for industries, including: agriculture, healthcare, philanthropy, higher-ed, k-12 education, faith based, business, tourism and arts, law enforcement, and local government. These documents will be updated each week and include helpful talking points, sample social media posts, resources, updated COVID data, etc. Attached is one example.
- Governor DeWine announced the creation of a new zip code dashboard. Ohioans can now view data from their local communities and filter data by probable or confirmed case status, county, a specific zip code, or a specific time period. The new zip code dashboard can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
- As the flu season coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in the midst of the most important flu vaccination season in recent history. ODH has prepared this flu vaccination toolkit with social media posts, newsletter content, graphics, presentation slides, and more for you to share as needed with employees, constituents, and partners. In addition, a new interactive dashboard accessible at flu.ohio.gov will allow Ohioans to visualize flu trends in Ohio.
- Lt. Governor Husted reminded Ohio small businesses that the application period for the Small Business Relief Grant and Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund is now open. More information can be found at BusinessHelp.Ohio.gov.
- More information regarding the $25 million in CARES ACT funding for non profits administered by ODJFS will be forthcoming.
- Governor DeWine signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Hamilton County due to the catastrophic crash that heavily damaged the Brent Spence Bridge which connects Cincinnati and Kentucky. Governor DeWine authorized the Ohio Department of Transportation to assist Kentucky with repairs so that the bridge can reopen as soon as possible. The state of emergency declaration will allow Ohio to recover bridge repair expenses from the Federal Emergency Relief Program.
- First Lady Fran DeWine announced that the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library Program is now being offered to children in all of Ohio's 88 counties. Parents are encouraged to enroll their kids age 0-5 in this free literary program. To sign up, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org
- 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.
