Ohio Prohibits Water Service Cutoffs Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, on Tuesday. Fifty-five Ohioans have died from complications related to the virus, the state health department announced.
State officials continue to urge Ohioans to practice social distancing and to stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary to venture out. Gov. Mike DeWine also spoke directly to essential stores — businesses that must remain open during this crisis.
"At essential stores, it's an obligation of the store, as well as the customers to keep the social distancing. It's also the responsibility of the store manager to make sure the store is safe, and that it keeps separate, distinct hours for our vulnerable populations," DeWine said.
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As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 2,199 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Health said 585 people were hospitalized because of the virus, and 198 Ohioans were in intensive care.
Mahonning County has had the most deaths during this outbreak, with 9 confirmed dead. Miami and Cuyahoga counties both have six COVID-19 deaths, while Summit has five confirmed deaths.
Cuyahoga has 527 confirmed cases of COVID-19, by far the most in Ohio. Franklin County has the second most confirmed cases with 325.
Water Shutoffs Prohibited
Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson signed an order prohibiting the cut-off of water services during the COVID-19 crisis. The order bars water providers from cutting off service to Ohioans due to non-payment.
The order also mandates that water systems reconnect service to any Ohioans who have had their water disconnected since Jan. 1, 2020. Anyone who is eligible for re-connection of water services must contact their provider to initiate the process.
"This will help us assure that as many people as possible have safe water during the state of emergency," DeWine said.
Tracking Ventilators
Dr. Amy Acton, director of the state health department, signed an order Tuesday creating a new program to track and index ventilators in Ohio. The program will tell state officials where ventilators are and how many ventilators are in Ohio
"So if there is a shortage and we have to move them around, we'll be able to do that. we're also working independently to secure more ventilators," DeWine said Tuesday.
Every facet of the medical supply chain will need to make weekly reports on ventilators. The following entities will have to make online reports to the state government: manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, transporters, distributors, retailers, physicians, clinics, hospitals and medical facilities.
Aid for Appalachia
JobsOhio anounced a $2 million growth fund loan to Appalachian Growth Capital (AGC). JobsOhio is trying to provide economic development funds to areas of Ohio hardest hit by the economy's down slide during the COVID-19 crisis.
"AGC provides small business financing in the 32-Appalachian Counties of eastern and southern Ohio. It works with local and regional banks, as well as secondary lenders to support businesses in the region," DeWine said.
This article originally appeared on the Cleveland Patch
