DeWine calls for limits on events to curb coronavirus spread

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COLUMBUS – A day after Ohio confirmed its first three cases of the new coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine called on organizers of large indoor events to limit attendance, churches to scale back services and colleges to cancel in-person classes to prevent the spread of the illness that has sickened thousands around the globe.

The Ohio Department of Health call center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer questions regarding COVID-19 at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Click here for the latest information from the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

After consulting the Governor’s Health Advisory Group, composed of several physicians and health care professionals from the Ohio Hospital Association, DeWine said he decided to recommend that large, indoor gatherings in Ohio be canceled or postponed.

“We know that the decisions we make in the next few days and weeks will determine how many lives are lost in Ohio and how long this pandemic will last. Therefore, I’m recommending that Ohio limits a variety of large gatherings in order to protect public health,” DeWine said.

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus:
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds often with soap and water.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-Source: Ohio Dept. of Health/CDC

At a Statehouse briefing Tuesday afternoon, DeWine called on organizers of large indoor events to limit attendance and on high school, college and professional sports teams to hold games without spectators other than the athletes, parents, and other essential personnel.

Columbus Crew SC announced that Saturday’s home match against Real Salt Lake woulds be played as scheduled at Mapfre Stadium but the club said some parts of the stadium, including high-traffic areas, would receive extra cleaning prior to and during the match and additional sanitation measures would be taken during the event.

But the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday that it would proceed with upcoming tournament events with limited spectators.

“We are pleased that our tournaments can continue and we will soon determine who can attend. However, we can already say that it will most likely be no more than the immediate family of the student-athletes participating in the event,” OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass said.

DeWine said he would not  recommend closing elementary, middle, and high schools but said school administrators and parents should begin planning for that possibility. He asked church leaders to consider limiting practices that could cause spread of germs and university officials to cancel large gatherings and move to online learning, a move Ohio State took Monday.

OSU canceled lectures and other in-person learning in favor of online classes for at least the rest of the month. University president Dr. Michael Drake announced the change in a statement Monday night.

While there are no campus-associated cases of COVID-19, we know that there are at least three confirmed cases in the state of Ohio, and we expect that there will be more. We are being proactive in an effort to prevent illness and continue the important work of the university. I understand that our policy guidelines will cause measurable disruption, but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures. The safety of our campus community is always our top priority. Your cooperation and collaboration will help to ensure an appropriate response across our institution to this rapidly changing matter. -statement from Dr. Michael Drake, OSU President

In addition, all university-sponsored international travel is suspended and domestic air travel will be limited to essential business. No new, non-essential on-campus events will be scheduled through April 20 and organizers of already scheduled events are being encouraged to evaluate whether the events should continue, Drake said.

DeWine banned visitors from state prisons and urged nursing homes to screen visitors, vendors and others.

Concerns over the disease are also impacting presidential politics in Ohio.

Elections officials are moving 128 polling places, including 16 in Franklin County, out of nursing homes for the March 17 primary. Secretary of State Frank LaRose urged Ohioans on Tuesday to take advantage of early voting opportunities available in person and by mail and has also ordered curbside dropoffs to be available on election day at all election boards.

DeWine, a Republican, would not call on Democratic rivals Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders to cancel planned rallies in Cleveland today but the men did call off their events.

Health officials confirmed Monday that three people from Cuyahoga County tested positive for the virus and are quarantined at home.

DeWine Monday issued a state of emergency allowing Ohio to buy health-related supplies without bidding out contracts and he has also banned nonessential travel for state employees.