The state is working to expand the Get In Line program that allows people to sign up for certain time slots at the deputy registrar’s office. The expansion will help prevent long lines and crowds from forming in the offices, Husted said.
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More details about when restaurants will reopen will be available in the next few days, Gov. Mike DeWine said.
The restaurant advisory group is just about done with the protocols that would need to be followed for a restaurant to reopen, the governor said.
As the state gets through this next phase, DeWine said the question is “How?”
State leaders are talking with those working in the industry every day to look at what can be done to get more businesses open.
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There are 20,474 total cases and 1,056 deaths contributed to coronavirus, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Confirmed cases hit 19,609 with 975 confirmed deaths reported.
Hospitalizations are at 3,809 with ICU admissions at 1,090.
We asked for the creation of a 21-day trend chart instead of only 5 days. I always look at hospitalizations - the trend line there isn't as good as we would want, but it is going down. pic.twitter.com/ud15kpnXgl
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 4, 2020
The ODH is now reporting trends over the last 21 days, instead of the last five.
“As we look at these we want compare where we are with this date,” DeWine said. “This is an important date as we start to reopen.”
The ODH also released new standards for coronavirus testing in the state.
People with top priority include those who have symptoms and are hospitalized or are health care workers.
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While we are increasing testing capacity, it’s important to note, our capacity is not unlimited so we must set priorities. Today, the @OHDeptofHealth is issuing new testing guidance to do just that. ⬇ pic.twitter.com/X1h2pu9bDP
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 4, 2020
The standards help give health care workers across the state clear and consistent guidelines on who should be tested as the state works to increase testing, ODH Director Amy Acton said.
Currently Ohio has tested about 1.3% of the state’s population.
The state is testing around 41 people per 100,000.
In an ideal world, that number would increase to 105 per 100,000 people, Acton said.
Of the people who have been tested for coronavirus 11% have tested positive.
On Monday, another wave of businesses were able to reopen, including those in construction, manufacturing and distribution. On May 1, veterinarian and dental offices were permitted to resume service and restrictions were lifted on non-essential surgeries and procedures that did not require an overnight hospital stay.
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