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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
today provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
HOSPITALIZATIONS:
Last week was the first week of increasing COVID-19 hospital
utilization in Ohio after over two months of decreasing utilization
since late April. From June 21, 2020, to June 27, 2020, Ohio had
approximately 500 to 550 total COVID-19 patients in hospitals
statewide. This week, there are approximately 650 COVID-19 patients
in hospitals statewide.
In comparison, the number of standard hospital beds occupied by
COVID-19 positive patients had peaked in late April and early May at
about 1,000 and reached a low of 513 on June 20th.
"Thankfully, ICU and ventilator utilization at the state level is
still holding steady, but we are seeing increases in some areas of
the state, such as in the Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati areas,"
said Governor DeWine. "In other regions of the state, COVID-19
hospital occupancy had been declining but now appears to have
leveled off."
Although COVID-19 utilization in hospitals is increasing, there is
still adequate overall capacity available across the state as of
today. No region has reached the concern threshold of 80 percent
overall utilization for ICU beds, however lessons of recent history
in NYC, Houston, and Arizona indicate that this can quickly change.
POSITIVITY RATE:
Governor DeWine explained that the increase in positive COVID-19
cases is not fully due to Ohio's increase in testing.
"Ohio's positivity rate has increased slightly as our testing totals
have increased," said Governor DeWine. "If the spread of this virus
remained at a low level, more testing should show a lower positivity.
The increase of our positivity rate, even as we are doing more
testing, means that we are likely picking up signs of broader
community spread."
HAMILTON COUNTY:
At the end of May and into early June, Hamilton County had an
average of 30 cases per day per 100,000 people. As of this past
week, the average new cases per day in Hamilton County increased to
approximately 100 cases per 100,000 people. Due to the delayed
diagnosis, these numbers may continue to grow for this reporting
period.
In addition, more people are visiting their doctors and being
diagnosed with COVID-19 in Hamilton County more often. Between June
15 and June 22, those numbers nearly doubled from 40 to 78 visits
per day.
In Hamilton County and the surrounding Southwestern Ohio region,
hospital utilization by COVID-19 positive patients reached their
lowest levels of this epidemic during the first and second weeks of
June. Since then the number of COVID-positive patients being treated
in standard hospital beds, ICU beds, and on ventilators has started
to increase. For example, in Hamilton County, the number of COVID-positive
patients doubled from a low of 65 patients on June 11 to more than
130 patients this weekend.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
In Montgomery County, there is a noticeable increase in cases over
the last month from an average of about 10 cases a day at the end of
May to about 40 cases a day in the most recent week. The community
is also experiencing early signs that more people are seeking
medical care for COVID-19 symptoms. For example, outpatient visits
in Montgomery County grew from an average of nearly seven visits per
day to 27.
For the hospitals in the West Central region, the number of COVID-positive
patients in standard hospital beds, ICUs, and ventilators has also
doubled since the first week of June. COVID-specific hospital
utilization is approaching levels not seen since the earlier peak of
the pandemic in April.
"To make sure we have enough hospital and ICU beds to treat everyone
who needs care, including those who need emergency surgery, are in a
car crash, or are suffering from a stroke, we need the help of all
Ohioans," said Governor DeWine. "I'm asking everyone, especially
those in Hamilton, Montgomery, and surrounding counties, to redouble
their efforts to social distance, wear a mask in public, and follow
good hand-washing protocols."
NURSING HOME VISITATION:
Governor DeWine announced that beginning July 20, 2020, nursing
homes are permitted to begin outdoor visitation as long as all
safety standards are met.
When assessing their readiness to permit outdoor visitation, nursing
homes should consider:
Case status in the surrounding community
Case status in the nursing home
Staffing levels
Access to adequate testing for residents and staff
Personal protective equipment supplies
Local hospital capacity
The decision to move forward with outdoor visitation considered
requests from families and residents and the impact on the quality
of life that a prolonged loss of connection can have on an
individual. The plan was made in consultation with advocates and
providers in the aging and development disabilities communities.
Guidelines for visitation were jointly developed by the Academy for
Senior Health Sciences, Leading Age Ohio, the Ohio Assisted Living
Association, the Ohio Health Care Association, and the Ohio Medical
Directors Association.
"We are confident that our approach provides each facility the
flexibility needed to assess their readiness to safely facilitate
outdoor visitation and to do so in a transparent way that keeps
residents and families informed," said Governor DeWine.
The order and related guidance will be made available at
coronavirus.ohio.gov. Questions may also be directed to the State
Long-Term Care Ombudsman, an office within the Ohio Department of
Aging, at 1-800-282-1206.
EXTENSION OF ORDERS:
Governor DeWine announced that he is extending existing health
orders through this week as his administration finalizes vital plans
to help local schools safely reopen, as well as plans to keep
Ohioans healthy and safe.
"These plans will take us into the next phase, a distinct and
different phase of continuing to keep Ohio open as we head into the
second half of 2020," said Governor DeWine.
Details on this new phase are anticipated to be released on
Thursday.
CURRENT OHIO DATA:
There are 51,046 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio
and 2,818 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 7,746
people have been hospitalized, including 1,961 admissions to
intensive care units. In-depth data can be accessed by visiting
coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Ohio is offering free COVID-19 testing for all residents at pop-up
testing sites across Ohio. Pop-up testing locations for June 29 -
July 2 are listed below.
Video of today's full update, including versions with foreign
language translation, can be viewed on the Ohio Channel's YouTube
page.
For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit
coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH. |
