COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine says a state prison guard has died from the coronavirus.
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:
Ohio Department of Health coronavirus website
Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard displays the most recent preliminary data
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John Dawson, 55, had worked at Marion Correctional Facility since 1996 and suffered from underlying health conditions. He most recently worked in the control center handing out equipment to staff.
“Our hearts go out to John’s family, friends, and his co-workers. His death reminds us that, although Ohio is doing well compared to other states, we are still seeing a large number of deaths,” DeWine said.
There are more than 5,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 83 Ohio counties and 193 deaths.
The governor says 48 prison employees have now tested positive and 17 inmates at seven different prisons.
DeWine says the state is aggressively testing people in prisons and the process is already underway for a limited release of just over 200 Ohio prisoners to help provide room for social distancing.
-0-
Citing a severe shortage of personal protective equipment in Ohio, DeWine urged any institution with a mask not to throw it away, since a new sanitizing process can allow repeated reuses. Healthcare workers using N95 masks can send them to Battelle which can serialize up to 160,000 masks each day, making them reusable up to 20 times.
He also thanked Apple and CEO Tim Cook for recently donating 100,000 N95 masks to be added to Ohio’s stockpile for distribution to frontline healthcare workers.
He said more PPE donations for frontline workers are still urgently needed.
To donate, please visit the state health department’s website.