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'Think about every trip to the store you make now': Dr. Amy Acton stresses urgency of social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic

"You can do this. We need you to do this."

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Throughout the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, the state's director of health has stressed the importance of social distancing as a way to minimize the deadly impact of the virus. 

On Tuesday, Dr. Amy Acton took it a step further. 

During her remarks as part of the state's daily coronavirus update, Acton addressed Ohioans who are still going out to shop for goods and services. 

"I'm asking you to think as much as you can about essential activities," she began. "I want you to think about every trip to the store you make now. Every time you go out to get medicine, you want to minimize even that." 

The Ohio Department of Health announced on Tuesday that the number of coronavirus cases in the state increased to 2,199. 55 people have died, while 585 are hospitalized. 

RELATED: Coronavirus & Ohio: The latest number of confirmed cases

"You can do this. We need you to do this," Acton continued. "It is so important that we minimize our exposure to others. This isn't time for browsing at the store. The work you are doing to physically distance yourself from others is absolutely life-saving."

Also on Tuesday, Dr. Acton issued an order requiring weekly on-line reporting of ventilators by any entity in the supply chain, from its creation through end use. That group includes manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, transporters, distributors, retailers, physicians, clinics, hospitals, and medical facilities.

RELATED: Dr. Amy Acton issues order to keep track of Ohio's ventilators

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