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Watch again: Gov. Mike DeWine holds briefing with the latest on the state's response to COVID-19

DeWine plans to address high school football at his next briefing on Tuesday, August 18.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As he does each Thursday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press briefing to address the state's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

RELATED: More coronavirus coverage from WKYC

Here are some of the subjects DeWine discussed on Tuesday:

Sports

Last week, DeWine stated that he would be unveiling new guidance for sports over the course of the next week. And while that did not happen on Thursday, we got a preview of what to expect at the next COVID-19 briefing.

DeWine's full announcement -- which will be made on Tuesday, Aug. 18 -- will come in consultation with parents, schools and the Ohio High School Athletics Association, he did say that the state will put restrictions in place. One of the restrictions that has already been decided on will limit the number of spectators permitted to attend games.

Under the state's current order, athletes in contact sports are required to follow strict protocols, including coronavirus testing prior to each contest. Additionally, spectators aren't currently allowed to attend any competitions for contact sports.

Discussing sports guidance last week, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said that the order currently in place wasn't the one the state intended to use for the start of the fall sports season. He also revealed that the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals had submitted proposals to host fans at their home games this season. 

Earlier this week, the Big Ten announced that it was postponing all of its fall sports seasons, including football. Asked about not having Ohio State football play this fall, DeWine said the announcement wouldn't affect his own decision on high school sports.

"These are decisions are not made in a vacuum," DeWine said. "The basic facts don't change because of what the Big Ten decided."

RELATED: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine discusses coronavirus heart issues, including myocarditis

Maps

As he does each Thursday, DeWine unveiled state's new coronavirus risk map, which tracks the outlook for each county in Ohio.

There are now just Level 3 counties in Northeast Ohio, Cuyahoga and Erie counties. Medina County, which last week saw an increase in cases, has moved from red to orange, with 65.1 cases per 100,000. Actual cases were 117.

“Cuyahoga is seeing a steady decrease,” said DeWine, who noted there have been some outbreaks in long-term care and group homes.

If Cuyahoga can moved to less than 100 cases per 100,000, they will move to the orange alert level.

DeWine also mentioned that Lake County has dropped from the orange level (Level 2) to yellow level (Level 1).

Previously being at Level 3 enacted a mask mandate in that county, although DeWine has since issued an order requiring masks be worn in public statewide.


You can watch DeWine's address from Thursday in the video player below.

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