Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says a statewide curfew implemented last month will remain in effect through January 2.
The curfew asks Ohioans to stay in their homes nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The curfew provides some exceptions including work and necessary trips to pick up food or medicine. DeWine says the curfew in combination with a retail mask mandate has helped to mitigate case levels a bit in the state.
The coronavirus continues to spread quickly across the state. New cases yesterday were 11,738 with 111 additional deaths.
Five northeast Ohio counties remain in the purple or highest alert level on the state's color-coded public health advisory map. Those counties are: Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Richland.
In keeping with the holidays, the governor unveiled a 21-day health protocol that he wants Ohioans to follow to avoid a "tsunami" of COVID cases from impacting hospitals this season. Those recommendations include advice we have heard frequently: wash your hands, wear masks, stay home, avoid travel and celebrate with your household and not larger groups.
The governor and public health officials pin their hopes of turning the corner on the pandemic to vaccines--which should soon be making their way to Ohio.
Glenn Forbes, Producer/Host, Ideastream
Lisa Ryan, Health Reporter/Producer, Ideastream
Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV
Akram Boutros, MD, President & CEO, The MetroHealth System
