ohio department of health

Coronavirus In Ohio: State Running Low On Tests, Preserving For High-Risk Cases

By • Mar 19, 2020
Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health director, speaks at a coronavirus briefing.
Andy Chow / Ohio Public Radio

Hospitals and labs around the state are running low on coronavirus test kits. Public health officials say that's why they're trying to preserve the swabs for people at high-risk to the virus and health care workers.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Most BMV Locations, All Barber Shops And Salons To Close

By • Mar 18, 2020
A caregiver tests a patient for coronavirus at University Hospitals, Monday, March 16, 2020, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Ohio is shutting down most Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations effective Wednesday night, while instructing law enforcement to stop issuing tickets for expired driver's licenses.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Health Department Orders Elective Procedures Canceled

By • Mar 17, 2020
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton holds up a mask as she gives an update about the state's response to coronavirus, on Feb. 27, 2020 in Cleveland.
Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Ohio's Department of Health has issued a public health order telling medical centers to stop all elective surgeries and other procedures, in an effort to free up staff and equipment for dealing with COVID-19 coronavirus.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Schools Suspended, Public Gatherings Over 100 Banned

By • Mar 12, 2020
Ohio Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine reviews his prepared comments ahead of a primary election night event, Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio.
Bryan Woolston / Associated Press

Ohio's Department of Health has banned "mass gatherings" of over 100 people in Ohio, while the state suspends schools for three weeks to stop the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

Cleveland Clinic Can Now Test For Coronavirus

By • Mar 12, 2020

Updated 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2020

Cleveland Clinic can now test for the coronavirus without sending specimens to an outside lab.

Clinic officials called this a game changer because they can now get tests results in hours, instead of waiting days.  The clinic’s pathology lab director Brian Rubin said they are able to run about 500 specimens a day and hope to ramp up to 1000 per day by next week.

DeWine Wants Ohio's Coronavirus Call Center Moved From Cramped Space

By • Mar 12, 2020
Ohio's coronavirus call center at the Ohio Department of Health.
Jo Ingles / Statehouse News Bureau

Ohio’s coronavirus call center is receiving an average of two calls per minute, but the governor says it should be moved to a larger location because the tight space is conducive to spreading the disease.

Containing The Spread Of Coronavirus

By All Sides Staff • Mar 12, 2020
Dr. Amy Acton, with Gov. Mike DeWine alongside, talks to reporters before the statewide coronavirus summit.
Andy Chow / Statehouse News Bureau

With COVID-19 coronavirus cases growing nationally and locally, officials are taking steps to contain the spread.

Coronavirus In Ohio: DeWine Plans To Limit Mass Gatherings

By • Mar 11, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine inside the Governor's Residence in Columbus on Dec. 13, 2019.
John Minchillo / Associated Press

Gov. Mike DeWine says he will issue a public order limiting mass gatherings as part of a state effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Coronavirus In Ohio: March 3-March 23

By , & • Mar 10, 2020
Gov. Mike DeWine at his daily coronavirus press conference on Sunday, March 23, 2020.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine

This is an archived post. You can read the latest updates here.

WOSU is providing updates about the coronavirus and COVID-19 in Ohio. 

First Coronavirus Cases In Ohio

By All Sides Staff • Mar 10, 2020
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton holds up a mask as she gives an update about the state's response to coronavirus, on Feb. 27, 2020 in Cleveland.
Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency after the first three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ohio.

Coronavirus In Ohio: Officials Confirm First Three Cases Of COVID-19

By • Mar 9, 2020
Dr. Amy Acton, with Gov. Mike DeWine alongside, talks to reporters before the statewide coronavirus summit.
Andy Chow / Statehouse News Bureau

Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency after the first three cases of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, were confirmed in the state.

Coronavirus Questions? Ohio Launches Hotline To Keep Residents Informed

By • Mar 9, 2020
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks before signing his first executive action alongside his wife Fran, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Cedarville, Ohio. The former U.S. senator took his oath in a private midnight ceremony at his Cedarville home.
John Minchillo / AP

The state has opened a call center for anyone who has questions about the potential spread of coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. The call center number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or 1-833-427-5634.

Ohio Starts Testing For Coronavirus, But Resources Are Limited

By • Mar 9, 2020
Ohio Department of Health conducting tests for COVID-19 with new testing equipment.
Ohio Department of Health

Ohio now has the ability to conduct tests for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Due to limited resources, though, the state has created a protocol to determine who to prioritize for testing.

Indiana, Kentucky Confirm Cases Of COVID-19

By • Mar 6, 2020

Updated 5:18 p.m.

Health officials have announced the first coronavirus cases in Indiana and Kentucky. 

Ohio Investigating Three People For Potential Coronavirus, No Cases Confirmed Yet

By & • Mar 5, 2020
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton holds up a mask as she gives an update about the state's response to coronavirus, on Feb. 27, 2020 in Cleveland.
Tony Dejak / Associated Press

The Ohio Department of Health is investigating a total of three potential cases of coronavirus, as of Thursday afternoon.

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