Thread by @andy_chow

Ohio Department of Health reporting there are now 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio

Waiting now for Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton to hold a briefing. DeWine's staff says they did a deep clean of the press briefing room, including periodically wiping down the lectern and mic

Gov Mike DeWine, “each day what you see is what we expected” talking about the increased numbers in COVID-19 cases

DeWine: "This is the nature of this virus. Nature of this problem"

Says there are likely many people in the state who have the coronavirus already and don't even know it. And they might be spreading it.

Dr. Amy Acton on confirmed cases:
26 Cases
Date Range: Feb 7 - March 13
Age Range: 31yo-86yo
12 Females
14 Males
7 hospitalizations
0 Deaths

DeWine: We now have 25 people working at the call center and we continue to add to those numbers.

Call center has received 18,000 calls so far

1-833-427-5634

DeWine on Casinos and Racinos are closed: But horses at some of those facilities are still running

DeWine on nursing home visitation: Says family and clergy are still allowed to visit someone in end-of-life situations

DeWine on Daycare: Again social distancing is a key

Recommendation (NOT order): If you have the ability to take a child out of that setting you should do so

State agencies have been talking to more than 1,500 daycare centers to talk about guidelines and sanitation rules

DeWine on Mental Health Issues: "What we know is during a pandemic, mental health challenges go up."

Says people should try to find a way to extend care and reach out to others in a way that still allows for social distancing they should do so

DeWine: "We all have to start looking at this as if this is going to be here for a while."

Lori Criss, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services director, speaking at the briefing.

Filing emergency rules to expand telehealth options for people struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorders

Criss: These actions will allow professionals and their patients to use normal cell phones and video apps to talk to each other

Criss: "We want you to stay healthy & well in all ways...if you have a mental health need or an addiction services need, we're making sure that you have access to those services."

"Don't skip appointments if you're afraid of exposure"

Lori Criss, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Tips for people experiencing fear/anxiety through coronavirus pandemic

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted: Many people have been asking how they can help in a safe way

1) If you have an elderly neighbor see what you can do for them
2) Donate blood
3) Donate to food banks
4) Neighbor to neighbor help

"If you're in a position to help, do so"

Husted: Have a generous spirit, find a way to help each other

DeWine on School Lunches: Any child 18 years old or younger will qualify for food through the school lunch programs that will continue operating. There's no income eligibility

DeWine: "If you can postpone elective surgery, that would be a very good thing to do."

Says it keeps a hospital room open, conserves equipment

Acton: ***Coronavirus is amongst us***

We know that this is going to spread everywhere. Many people may have already had COVID-19. But we can still get other people sick.

"We know that we must employ the mitigation strategy that we have"

Acton: People might be thinking 'I'm healthy why does this matter'

Says it is about the 6 Degrees of Separation, the Kevin Bacon theory

The person we come into contact with will come into contact with someone else and so on

Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health Director, stresses how important masks are for hospitals and that there’s a serious shortage of health care supplies

Gov. Mike DeWine On Endurance: "This is not a sprint."

DeWine says we have to prepare ourselves for this to last in Ohio for a long while. Latest estimates go through April before we peak and drop off in cases, ONLY an estimate

On the mask shortage: DeWine suggests other health care workers such as dentists or vets, who might not need them, to send them to hospitals treating coronavirus

Acton says they will be putting out more guidance on testing protocols and who should get tested soon

Says most people will experience COVID-19 as a typical cold or flu and they might have to ride it out at home, separated from the rest of their family

Acton says they will be putting out more guidance on testing protocols and who should get tested soon

Says most people will experience COVID-19 as a typical cold or flu and they might have to ride it out at home, separated from the rest of their family

Question: How effective can Ohio's orders be if other state's aren't doing the same thing?

Acton says the best thing Ohio can do is implement strong social distancing rules to add layers of protection then when other states catch up, that adds more layers

DeWine says he talked to his health advisory panel and asked "what's next" what's the next layer of protection they need to be thinking about.

There's nothing we're not looking at