COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine addressed the media in Columbus on Thursday with the latest news about the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Just as in a time of war, we've been attacked by this virus and we have to pull together. It's going to be the small acts of each and every Ohioan that will make all the difference in the world," DeWine told the gathering.
Earlier on Thursday, the Ohio Department of Health announced that there are now 119 confirmed cases in the state. 33 people have been hospitalized.
Of those 119 cases, 53 are in Cuyahoga County alone, including 13 in the city of Cleveland (more than any other single county). Mayor Frank G. Jackson's office confirmed six new city cases on Thursday, with a mixture of men and women ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. Specifics regarding possible hospitalizations were not made available.
While there weren't any orders issued by DeWine on Thursday, there were several highlights:
Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, confirmed that the state is investigating its first potential death due to the coronavirus.
According to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, the state has applied and been approved for small businesses and non-profits to be able to apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans can be used to pay for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills.
DeWine plans to issue an executive order that will expand Medicaid access to medical and behavioral health services using telehealth.
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