COVID-19 State Updates: March 30

Everything you and your business need to know about state coronavirus response efforts for March 30, 2020.

As of Sunday, 1,653 people had tested positive and 29 Ohioans had died from COVID-19.

The Governor wants completed plans, that may evolve, by noon Monday to increase Ohio’s hospital capacity in preparation for a peak in coronavirus by mid-April. The Ohio National Guard will oversee the program.

On Saturday, Governor DeWine made a plea to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an emergency waiver for the use of new technology that could sterilize up to 160,000 used personal protective face masks per day in Ohio. On Sunday, the FDA rewrote rules to allow full application of potentially game-changing Battelle technology to sterilize protective masks worn by those treating coronavirus victims.

Governor DeWine has requested anyone who has unneeded personal protective equipment (PPE) or can manufacture new PPE to email the state at together@governor.ohio.gov. State staff will receive these emails and coordinate how resources can be used to benefit Ohioans.

PPE items of critical need, include, but are not limited to:

• Surgical gowns (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

• Face/surgical masks (adult, pediatric)

• Gloves (nitrile, vinyl, or butyl)

• N-95 particulate respirators

• Isolation gowns

• Face shields

• Tyvek coveralls

• Thermometers

• Foot coverings

• Ventilator tubing

Note: The above items are not intended to be in order of importance.

Last week, the Ohio 2020 Primary Election was extended to April 28, 2020. Request an absentee ballot to vote by mail here.