He announced new, enhanced public health orders:
- Retailers will be required to post mask requirement signs and enforce compliance among workers and customers; the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation will issue written warnings on first violations and store closures of up to 24 hours for second violations.
- Banquet halls will no longer be allowed to have dancing, games or open congregate areas.
He promised to close bars, restaurants and fitness centers if current trends continue — a step he may take as early as Nov. 19.
DeWine also warned that colleges and universities may be mandated to switch to all-online learning in January, depending on the case numbers.
The governor urged Ohioans to skip social gatherings. “Please, please don’t host that birthday party or that baby shower or that kid’s sleepover or that get-together to watch the football game,” he said.
Part pep-talk, part lecture, DeWine said if Ohio doesn’t turn it around, hospitals won’t be able to provide appropriate care for patients, schools won’t be adequately staffed and nursing home residents will be put at risk.
“As we wait for this vaccine, we have so much to protect. We can’t surrender to this virus. We can’t let it run wild until enough of us get the vaccine. It is advancing quickly and seeking victims in every community in Ohio,” he said.
He made a similar appeal in July when COVID case numbers were climbing.
In the past seven days, Ohio has seen 37,147 new confirmed cases. In the past three weeks, Ohio has seen more than 79,000 new cases, which accounts for nearly 30% of the cumulative 267,356 cases across the state since the beginning of the pandemic.
Once again, we're seeing alarming numbers in Ohio. Another 76 deaths have been reported, bringing our total fatalities to over 5,600. Thousands of new people have been diagnosed. I'll discuss the next steps for Ohio in a public address tonight at 5:30 on https://t.co/90BcIYqI19. pic.twitter.com/6lTiMCNk7v
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) November 11, 2020
Currently, 2,880 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized across Ohio and 76 people died in the previous 24 hours from the disease. The state announced 5,874 new cases on Wednesday.
Case numbers and hospitalizations are climbing, just as Ohio heads into colder weather and the holiday season when indoor gatherings are likely to spread the virus among friends and family.
Just this week, hospital administrators across the state warned that staff shortages could lead to compromised care for the sick and injured.
“We are now at the most crucial phase of this pandemic. We are in the midst of the third wave in Ohio,” DeWine said. “This surge is much more intense, widespread and dangerous."
About the Author
