COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine and the state health director will outline Ohio’s preparations for a coronavirus outbreak, though there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.
DeWine will be joined at the briefing in Cleveland Thursday afternoon by Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, MetroHealth President and CEO Dr. Akram Boutros and Cuyahoga County Health Commissioner Terry Allan to give an update on the state’s preparedness and education efforts to limit the potential spread of new coronavirus disease, which has sickened thousands worldwide.
The state health department Thursday reported that 212 people in Ohio were “under public health supervision,” remaining in isolation for 14 days and monitoring their symptoms to prevent the potential spread of the illness.
One person is being tested and test results on six others were returned negative.
The virus that emerged in China has infected more than 82,000 people, including 60 cases in the United States, and has caused more than 2,800 deaths worldwide.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. is “very, very ready” for whatever the new coronavirus threat brings, even as health authorities warn Americans that more infections are coming.
Shortly after a presidential news conference Wednesday, the government announced a worrisome development — a new U.S. case that hasn’t been linked to travel abroad.
Trump has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of overseeing the nation’s response.
The Republican president has been pushing back against criticism that his administration isn’t doing enough to meet the coronavirus threat.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are calling for much more money than the $2.5 billion the White House has requested.