COLUMBUS – Saying that the state has entered a “crucial phase” in its battle against the coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine is imploring Ohioans to take the surging coronavirus spread seriously and practice safety precautions to combat the spread of COVID-19.
In a 25-minute televised address to the state Wednesday, DeWine said the state was experiencing a third surge of cases, worse than those in March and July, and that all 88 Ohio counties are reporting a “high rate” of infection.
“This surge is much more intense, widespread and dangerous,” he said.
A record high number of new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 was reported Thursday — 7,101. The three days with highest case numbers of the pandemic have been Tuesday (6,508), Wednesday (5,874) and Thursday of this week.
DeWine issued new orders on mask enforcement in businesses and gatherings across the state and he threatened to close bars, restaurants and fitness centers if cases continue to rise.
One of the biggest changes in the state was the shifted of authority of mask enforcement from counties to the state.
Under the Department of Health’s new order, stores will be required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store and will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks.
A Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will inspect businesses and hand out written warnings to those committing a first violation, but a second violation will result in closure of the store for up to 24 hours, DeWine said.
DeWine did not act to close bars, restaurants or fitness centers, as the state did in the spring, but he warned that decision will be revisited next Thursday.
“If the current trend continues and cases keep increasing, we will be forced to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers. I am very well aware of the burden this will place on employees and owners, but these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing, which we know now is the chief way of slowing this virus.”
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Wednesday’s orders were not as far-reaching as in March, when Ohio became one of the first states to go into lockdown, but they were criticized by some Republicans for being too strict and by Democrats for not being strict enough in the face of the GOP message that mask orders infringe on individual rights and business regulations hurt the state’s economy.
“All state and community leaders should be speaking with a unified voice about the importance of wearing a mask and following public health guidance, and right now, Republican leadership at the Statehouse is the biggest obstacle to that,” Rep. Allison Russo (D- Upper Arlington) said.
House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) dismissed the address as “another stern admonishing, a rehash of how dire the numbers are in our state and what appears to be a final warning that he may take steps to slow this down in a week.”
They called for measures such as statewide conformity for enforcement of health orders, additional targeted testing for essential services, such as schools, first responders and essential businesses; and, an increased focus on high-risk communities and consideration of health disparities.
Ohio and 48 other states are experiencing a rapid spread of the disease. At the end of September, DeWine says Ohio was averaging under 1,000 new cases per day. This week, Ohio hit a record high of more than 6,500 new cases on Tuesday and the second-highest single-day number on Wednesday.
DeWine’s April order that limits public events and private gatherings of more than 10 people is still in effect but he claims there has been rampant spread of the virus as a result of banquets, wedding receptions and other social gatherings so tighter restrictions are now in place.
Open congregate areas will no longer be permitted to open and guests will be required to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks. Activities like dancing and games are prohibited.
The total number of cases in Ohio was 274,457 Thursday with 5,658 deaths and 21,290 hospitalizations.
There were 3,024 patients currently hospitalized, 11.17% of inpatient capacity statewide.