Governor DeWine’s July 28th Press Conference
Below are the updates from yesterday’s press conference with Governor DeWine. The next press conference is currently scheduled for Thursday, July 30th at 2:00 PM. You may watch it locally on WTOV9. Please utilize the Chamber’s COVID Resource Page and contact our offices with specific questions or assistance.
Ohio’s current COVID-19 case data:
- 81,896 confirmed cases
- 4,601 probable cases
- 86,497 total cases
- 10,425 hospitalizations
- 3,118 confirmed deaths
- 264 probable deaths
- 3,382 total deaths
- 2,448 ICU admissions
- 61,056 presumed recovered
More data is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard HERE.
Governor DeWine announced that child care providers in Ohio may return to their normal, statutory ratios and class sizes beginning on August 9, 2020. Child care providers have a choice to increase the number of children and staff members to the normal statutory ratios or to maintain their current, lower ratios to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is structuring a financial incentive to providers that maintain smaller ratios and classroom sizes.
All child care providers must comply with stringent health and safety requirements including: face coverings for all staff and children over 10, unless they have a health exemption; symptom and temperature checks when staff and children arrive; washing hands throughout the day, including upon arrival and before departure; frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces; and regular deep cleanings.
Governor DeWine announced that county and independent fairs with an opening day on or after July 31, 2020, will be limited to specific junior fair events. Junior fair activities such as livestock competitions and 4-H and Future Farmers of America competitions for kids and teenagers may continue as planned, but junior fairs must develop a plan that reduces crowding in barns, such as limiting entrance to only the immediate family of those actively showing their animals or projects. A 10 p.m. curfew will also be instituted for the barns, buildings, and midways. Harness racing can proceed with no spectators, but rides, games, and grandstand events will be prohibited to limit crowds and better prevent coronavirus spread.
Click here for a list of this week’s pop-up testing locations.
Ohioans may apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7AM to 7PM, Saturday 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 9AM to 1PM. Employers with questions should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov.
As always, Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov and the Department of Health hotline, 1-833-4-ASK-ODH are great resources for those who have questions.