COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine and local health officials are warning residents that Ohio State football watch parties, trick-or-treating and other holiday get-togethers need to be carried out differently, or even canceled, this fall to stem a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The state reported 2,509 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Tuesday for a total of 202,740 with 5,239 deaths. The number of hospitalizations increased by 198 to 18,433. There are 35,797 active cases, 660 more than Monday.
At his regular coronavirus briefing, DeWine said that all but six of Ohio’s 88 counties are experiencing high incidences of new cases, defined as 100 new cases per 100,000 population over two weeks.
Nearly 500 people have died from the coronavirus in Columbus during the seven months since the pandemic began and there has been an alarming increase in cases in Columbus, mirroring a third wave affecting most of the country, Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said.
She said many of the recent cases stem from parties and gatherings and that has officials concerned about the upcoming holidays.
“These are challenging times, but we have to start behaving differently. We cannot go back to life as we knew it before February and March of 2020,” she said during a live-streamed briefing by government and hospital officials Monday.
That day, the Ohio Health Department reported that the state had seen more than 200,000 probable and confirmed coronavirus cases amid a surge in cases that is greater than earlier spikes in the spring and summer.
City and state enforcement teams investigated over 100 possible cases of violations of face mask or social distancing orders over the weekend but handed out only two warnings, Roberts said.
She said compliance among bars and restaurants is at about 95% but nearly one-third of new cases are being traced back to parties on private property where government enforcement powers are limited.
Newly confirmed infections per day are rising in 47 states, including Ohio.
The average number of deaths per day across the United Stated are up 10% over the past two weeks, from 721 to nearly 794 as of Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The virus is blamed for more than 8.6 million confirmed infections and over 225,000 deaths in the U.S., the highest such totals anywhere in the world.
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An Ohio legislative spending panel approved the distribution of about $420 million in federal aid to individuals and businesses struggling economically from the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m very pleased the State Controlling Board has approved our CARES Act package of more than $419.5 million. We worked closely with the General Assembly, and I am grateful for their continued partnership in supporting Ohioans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.
The money includes grants to bars and restaurants, help for low-income renters and homeowners, assistance for arts and nonprofit organizations, and aid for colleges and universities.
The bipartisan State Controlling Board voted for the spending on Monday.
The package was announced last week by DeWine and GOP House and Senate leaders.
“The funding approved today is essential for Ohio’s small businesses which have been impacted the hardest by COVID-19. This release of funding will assist our local businesses with pandemic-related expenses such as PPE, mortgage and rent, utilities, salary, wages, and benefits,” said Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark), who serves on the board.
Among the funds approved, $50 million will be used for the Home Relief Grant program to assist low-income Ohio homeowners and renters facing evictions, foreclosures, and water and sewer service shutoffs. Beginning Nov. 2, Ohioans will be able to apply for assistance through their local Community Action Agency.
The Small Business Relief Grant program will provide $125 million in funding for small businesses with under 25 employees to use for pandemic-related expenses. An additional $38.7 million in grant dollars will also be directed to Ohio’s approximately 15,000 bars and restaurants. Applications may be submitted beginning Nov. 2.
The board also approved $100 million for colleges and universities to use for increased COVID-19 testing and prevention programs, $62 million targeted to small hospitals, $25 million for non-profits to assist charitable groups, and $20 million for performing arts groups.
The approval brings the total amount of CARES Act funds distributed in Ohio to more than $3.3 billion.