COVID-19 State Updates: April 27

The Ohio Department of Health reported Monday that COVID-19 cases in the state now total 16,325 -- an increase of 362 in confirmed coronavirus cases since Sunday.

• Deaths now total 753 -- an increase of 25 since Sunday.

• Cases have resulted in 3,232 hospitalizations and 978 intensive care unit admissions.

Governor Mike DeWine offered guidance for his Responsible Restart Ohio to “re-open” Ohio’s economy today.

The Governor is taking a phased-in approach that will initially focus on five protocols for all businesses when they re-open, including a “no mask, no work, no service, no exception” requirement for employees and clients, and limits on capacity to no more than 50 percent of fire code restrictions.

He also set the following schedule for beginning to open up the state's economy saying, "We are opening where there is less risk."

• Friday, May 1: Lifting the bar on elective surgeries to allow procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay.

• Monday, May 4: Re-open manufacturing, distribution and construction.

• Monday, May 4: Re-open general office work.

• Tuesday, May 12: Re-open consumer, retail and services.

Stay-at-home orders will remain in place, including limits on gatherings, but with modifications to allow additional business operations.

In connection to the Responsible Restart Ohio plan, the Governor outlined graphics and information that can be found at the Ohio Department of Health’s Coronavirus website here.

Meanwhile, Economic Recovery Task Force Chairman Representative Paul Zeltwanger, released an "Open Ohio Responsibly Framework" Monday morning.

Ohio House Democratic leaders Monday outlined their recommendations for Ohio's reopening, promoting 10 focus areas of "testing, tracing, hygiene, child care, vulnerable populations, worker protections, consumer confidence, support for business, general election and public awareness."

On Friday, Ohio Senate Democrats urged the Governor not re-open Ohio, in a letter, before certain conditions are met.