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Dr. Amy Acton: Ohio 'won't be running back to mass gatherings any day soon'

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said that while the projections may be improved, don't expect mass gatherings anytime soon.

On Wednesday, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton shared the encouraging news that the state's projected coronavirus (COVID-19) peak has decreased from 10,000 new daily cases to 1,600.

But while Ohio's outlook improved, Acton said it's too soon to consider a return to everyday life -- especially as far as mass gatherings in the state are concerned.

"We won't be running back to mass gatherings any day soon," Acton said. "School is a big policy issue that will really have to be looked at closely."

As for when Ohio can expect a return to some semblance of normalcy, Acton said she expects the state's recovery phase to begin in the business sector.

"We're not there yet. We have a couple of weeks yet before any of this could be even implemented," Acton said. "It will start slowly probably in the business sector."

Acton also stressed the need for Ohio to continue its physical distancing practices and preventative measures in order to maintain its current projection.

"If we stopped today, if we all ran outside, in two more weeks we would have gone way back up again," Acton said. "We've got to hold steady and hold the course."

As of Wednesday, Ohio has had 5,148 confirmed coronavirus cases, 1,485 of which have resulted in hospitalization, 472 ICU admissions and 193 deaths. Dating back to the discovery of the state's first positive coronavirus case on March 9, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has taken several measures to encourage physical distancing, including a stay-at-home order that is currently in place until at least May 1.

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