COLUMBUS – Large events are being canceled or becoming off-limits to most spectators after Gov. Mike DeWine called on organizers to consider calling off indoor events as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed over 4,000 people worldwide.
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 from the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
After consulting with his Health Advisory Group, which consists of physicians and representatives of the Ohio Hospital Association, DeWine and Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton recommended that large, indoor gatherings be canceled or postponed.
“It’s an unacceptable risk to put that many people together for a long period of time inside,” he said.
The Ohio Health Department says Ohio has three confirmed cases of the virus and 15 people under investigation.
To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus:
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds often with soap and water.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-Source: Ohio Dept. of Health/CDC
Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden both cancelled rallies planned Tuesday in Cleveland.
“The governor of Ohio asked the presidential campaigns to cancel their indoor public events in Cleveland with large, large crowds of people and that’s what we did,” Biden told a crowd of supporters.
The Democratic National Committee also announced that the next debate, being held Sunday in Arizona, would not have a live audience, “at the request of both campaigns and out of an abundance of caution.” The moves suggest the coronavirus could upend the Democratic primary at a pivotal time in the race for both candidates.
The outbreak has already impacted Ohio’s March 17 primary.
More than 120 polling places inside nursing homes are being relocated and tens of thousands of Ohio State students may heed calls to stay away from campus as in-person classes are cancelled until the end of the month.
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose urged Ohioans on Tuesday to take advantage of early voting opportunities available in person and by mail heading into the March 17 primary.
He has also ordered curbside dropoffs to be available at all election boards on election day.
Here is the updated list of voting sites that will be relocated.
We will have significant updates re: new voting locations beginning tomorrow.
Get latest updates here: https://t.co/FwEp95O1OJ#COVID19OhioReady#COVID19#Protect2020
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) March 11, 2020
DeWine also said colleges should screen students returning from overseas trips and should consider online classes whenever possible.
Multiple public and private colleges and universities have canceled in-person classes and moved instruction online at least through March.
Among those was the University of Dayton, where early Wednesday police launched “pepper balls” containing an irritant to disperse a gathering of hundreds of students angered by the announcement that university housing was shutting down.
The City of Dublin canceled its St. Patrick’s Day Parade and postponed the opening of the Dublin Link Bridge over the Scioto River.
In Toledo, the city council ordered the public utilities department to stop shutting off water to homes to ensure people could wash their hands.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association immediately heeded the recommendation and voided all tickets to tournament games in four sports taking place in Columbus this weekend and next weekend.
Boys basketball teams, currently playing regional games, ticket sales will be limited to four for family members of players and cheerleaders, two for coaches, school administrators and the team bus driver.
For the girls basketball state tournament at St. John Area March 12-14, four family members of players for the 16 qualifying teams will be allowed to purchase single-session tickets. For coaches and administrators, two family members will be allowed to purchase tickets.
For the state wrestling finals March 13-15 at Value City Arena, all-session tickets will be limited to four for each athletes and two for coaches.
In ice hockey, March 13-15 at Nationwide Arena, players on the four state qualifying teams will be limited to four single-session tickets for family members and coaches and administrators to two apiece.
The NCAA has not yet announced any changes to its events, including its Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
The Mid-American Conference, which includes Ohio University, the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, Kent State, Toledo and Miami University, and the Big West conference say they will play their tournaments without fans.