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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 & ICU ADMISSIONS
Ohio's COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit an all-time high at 5,060
people hospitalized with the coronavirus across Ohio as compared to
just under 1,700 COVID-19 patients on November 1. Of Ohio's
currently hospitalized COVID-19 patients, there are 1,180
individuals in intensive care units and 682 people are on
ventilators.
According to Dr. Andy Thomas, Chief Clinical Officer at The Ohio
State University Wexner Medical Center, one-third of ICU patients
across Ohio have COVID and one-third of individuals on ventilators
have COVID.
"COVID patients are going to start crowding out other people who
need that level of care as these numbers continue to rise," said Dr.
Thomas. "The reality is that hospitals are making difficult
decisions about delaying care. It may be non-urgent care, but it's
care that may cause someone to go to the ICU after surgery. A lot of
hospitals are delaying those surgeries because they can't afford
their ICUs to be overtaxed."
Dr. Thomas reported that rural areas are being hit particularly hard
right now, and several hospitals are beginning to voice concerns
about their ability to manage such a high number of intensive care
patients. As the total number of COVID patients grows, smaller
community hospitals will be unable to expand their intensive care
capacity.
For individuals who traveled over Thanksgiving, Dr. Thomas urged
them to quarantine upon return to Ohio to break any possible chain
of transmission.
COVID-19 INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Governor DeWine today announced a new program to help improve indoor
air quality and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 at senior living
facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and
adult day centers.
The $28 million program was created using federal CARES Act funding
to address indoor air quality through HVAC inspections, portable air
filtration systems, new filtration systems, maintenance on current
systems, and other interventions. Eligible recipients can receive up
to $15,000.
“As we move into colder months and spend more time inside, proper
ventilation and filtration are even more important to stop the
spread of COVID-19,” said Governor DeWine.
The program was approved by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)
Board of Directors at a special meeting Wednesday. BWC will
administer the program and applications are available at
bwc.ohio.gov. Additional questions about the program should be
emailed to grants@bwc.state.oh.us.
STATE OF OHIO EMPLOYEES
Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in
Ohio, Governor DeWine has delayed Ohio's plan to resume in-person
work at state-owned facilities. A gradual, phased approach was
expected to begin in January. Governor DeWine also encouraged other
employers to allow employees to work at home to the extent possible.
ADDITIONAL GUESTS
During today's briefing, Governor DeWine was joined by four nurses
who discussed their experiences treating patients with coronavirus.
Stacey Morris, a COVID unit nurse manager at Cleveland Clinic Akron
General, discussed the role nurses play when patients are admitted,
as they fight for their lives, and, in the worst circumstances, when
they must say goodbye to their loved ones.
Carrie Watkins, assistant director for nursing at Genacross Lutheran
Services in Holland, Ohio, discussed the surge in COVID cases that
are experienced in nursing homes each time there is a surge in
community spread.
Dara Pence, ICU nurse manager at Ohio Health's Riverside Hospital in
Columbus, discussed the unpredictability of the virus and the
tragedies that she has witnessed due to COVID-19.
Jamie Giere, a nurse and team leader for the COVID unit at Premier
Health's Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy, Ohio, discussed the
surge in patients over the past three weeks and her concerns that
the public does not fully understand what is happening in Ohio's
hospitals.
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
On this final day of National Adoption Month, Governor DeWine
encouraged Ohioans to consider fostering or adopting a child. In
Ohio, there are 3,000 children waiting for a family, including
11-year-old Alex, who is featured in the video below.
Alex, 11
CURRENT CASE DATA
In total, there are 421,063 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19
reported in Ohio and 6,429 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A
total of 26,864 people have been hospitalized throughout the
pandemic, including 4,682 admissions to intensive care units.
In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.
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. |
