Ohio Expanding Coronavirus Testing Capacity Throughout May
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio will rapidly expand its testing capacity for the new coronavirus throughout May, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday. The state is partnering with Thermo Fisher and Roe Dental to acquire testing equipment, like reagent.
"Ohioans are fighters. And we now have the ability to really go on the offense against this enemy. That means we are going to track it down. We are going to isolate it. And then, we are going to kill it," DeWine said.
Beginning Wednesday, Ohio will be able to perform 7,200 tests daily. DeWine said testing capacity will then increase in waves. Ohio will be able to do 15,000 tests daily by May 6, 18,800 tests by May 13 and 22,000 tests by May 27.
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Former governors Richard Celeste and Bob Taft worked to secure the partnership with Thermo Fisher to develop reagent for COVID-19 testing kits. Roe Dental will have employees working around the clock to develop new swabs for those kits, DeWine said.
Friday's Numbers
Health officials confirmed 475 cases of the new coronavirus over the past 24 hours in Ohio. There were also 34 deaths due to complications from the virus, the Ohio Department of Health announced.
There have now been 690 deaths in Ohio caused by COVID-19. The state has seen a total of 15,169 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began.
Marion County continues to lead Ohio in confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 2,169. Cuyahoga County leads the state in deaths related to the virus, with 91 confirmed.
Testing was still limited statewide on Friday, so the Ohio Department of Health's numbers are largely based on testing of high-risk population. Officials have said they believe many more Ohioans have contracted the virus than is reflected in the numbers.
Foster Care
The state of Ohio will cover the costs of foster care for any resident turning 18 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a safety net for these Ohioans, DeWine announced.
The governor said the program will also be available for the Bridges program, which aids Ohioans up to the age of 21.
DeWine urged foster care programs throughout the state to take advantage of the new benefits.
"These changes will ensure that no child leaves care during this pandemic without a safe place to call home. I encourage county children services agencies, juvenile courts, and the foster youth, themselves, to take advantage of this new opportunity," the governor said.
Coming Soon
DeWine has said repeatedly he will unveil more details of the state's plan to reopen sectors of the economy on Monday, April 27. Ohio's stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 1.
Small businesses around the state, like some in inner-ring suburb Cleveland Heights, are planning limited reopenings on May 4.
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This article originally appeared on the Cleveland Patch
