COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine says he’s confident a new health director can be hired despite concerns about criticism a director would face.
“We live in a country where people can express their opinions, they can do that, we are firm believers in the First Amendment. They can go demonstrate, they can protest. So, I don’t think we’re in any different position than any other state that would be hiring a health director,” DeWine said Tuesday, days after his selection for health director withdrew her name.
Dr. Joan Duwve, South Carolina’s former public health director was named Ohio’s director on Thursday afternoon and withdrew about five hours later, saying she was concerned because Dr. Amy Acton, who left the post in June, and her family were harassed by protesters objecting to restrictions aimed at combatting the spread of the novel coronavirus.
DeWine said he respects Duwve’s decision and says the health director job, as well as that of the department‘s medical director, will be filled eventually.
The state on Wednesday reported 1,033 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 for a total of 140,518 with 4,555 deaths. The 17,520 active cases were 31 more than Tuesday.
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DeWine and Director Ursel McElroy of the Ohio Department of Aging provided an update on testing in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, adult day centers, and adult day cares.
McElroy also mentioned that adult day care and senior centers will open on September 21st.
The facilities will test staff every other week and participants if they present symptoms.
Outdoor visitation started at Ohio nursing homes on July 20 but there was no update on when indoor visits would be allowed.