Coronavirus in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine issues statewide mask order

Gov. Mike DeWine reversed course Wednesday, issuing a statewide face mask mandate in the face of rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

DeWine had resisted a statewide order, although mask use recently was mandated in public places in “red” counties — counties where coronavirus cases were on the rise.

Franklin County and all surrounding counties except Madison were among 19 red counties in Ohio, covering about 60 percent of the population. But the new order, which will take effect at 6 p.m. Thursday, now covers the whole state.

The order applies to anyone in a public place where social distancing isn’t possible. That includes indoor spaces other than residences and outdoor spaces where a large number of people are congregated. It also applies when waiting for, riding, driving or operating public transportation.

People with medical conditions that preclude the use of a face mask are not required to wear one. Children under 10 years old also are not required to wear masks.

DeWine said a mask mandate had been under consideration for several days, and that mounting evidence of the effectiveness of face masks contributed to his decision.

“The evidence is clearer now than it has ever been,” DeWine said.

The announcement came just days after President Donald Trump tweeted an image of himself wearing a face mask and indirectly called the act "patriotic" on Monday — an about-face from his earlier reluctance to wear a facial covering in public.

Cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, continue to spike in Ohio. On Wednesday, the state reported 1,527 new infections and 16 more deaths.

Wednesday’s case count was the third highest since the outbreak began.

COVID-19 cases have risen steadily in recent weeks, with the number of new cases eclipsing 1,000 per day.

The daily case count had been on a downward trend until Wednesday, having fallen from a peak of 1,679 cases on Friday to 1,047 on Tuesday.

The 16 fatalities reported Wednesday is roughly in line with the daily average of 17 reported over the past 21 days, but 30 deaths were reported Tuesday.

Ohio reported 128 new hospitalizations Wednesday, bringing the total number of coronavirus patients in Ohio hospitals to 1,098.

Nevertheless, DeWine said Wednesday, the increase in new cases in the hardest-hit counties has slowed.

But “we cannot yet say that we’re at the plateau,” he said.

The governor said mask use seemed to be on the rise in red counties, and he praised people who live in those counties for doing their part. He had appealed to Ohioans last week to be responsible.

“The use of a mask, plus social distancing, makes a huge, huge difference,” DeWine said.

A travel advisory was issued for anyone coming to Ohio from a state where coronavirus cases are on the rise. Travelers entering Ohio from states like Florida, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, Mississippi and Alabama are asked, but not required, to self-quarantine for at least two weeks.

pcooley@dispatch.com

@PatrickACooley