COLUMBUS, Ohio — Today, Gov. Mike DeWine is providing an update on the response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
You can watch the briefing on 3News and stream live at WKYC.com, the WKYC app, YouTube, and Facebook Live.
The governor began his briefing by announcing that all of the state's fairs will be limited to junior fair events only (livestock competitions and other 4-H and FFA competitions for kids and teens) starting on or after Friday, July 31.
"Harness racing can proceed with no spectators, but we are prohibiting rides, games, and grandstand events going forward so that we can keep the crowds down," DeWine stated.
In addition, DeWine announced that effective August 9th, child care providers in Ohio may return to their normal, statutory ratios and class sizes. Child care providers have a choice to get a subsidy and maintain their current lower ratios. Or they can go back to the normal statutory ratio.
"Even with increased classroom sizes, child care providers will still have to comply with stringent health and safety requirements including face coverings for all staff, symptom and temperature checks, hand washing, frequent cleaning," DeWine added.
As far as the latest coronavirus numbers in the state, the Ohio Department of Health reported over 1,300 new cases over the last 24 hours with 38 new reported deaths.
DeWine was encouraged that there has been a decrease in the number of emergency room visits in the last few days. That, plus other data, is making the governor hopeful that the state is on the verge of a plateau.