3 Inmates Die From Coronavirus At Federal Prison In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Three inmates have died at Elkton Federal Prison due to complications from the new coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday. The Ohio National Guard has been authorized to enter the prison and offer assistance for 7 to 10 days, DeWine said.

The prison houses federal inmates from around the nation and is not operated by the state. At least seven inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, and dozens more have shown symptoms, DeWine said.

The National Guardsmen at the prison will have medical backgrounds. They will all be equipped with N95 respirators and will not be armed. DeWine said he has urged the Department of Justice to stop all intake of prisoners at Elkton.

"To be clear, this is not a state facility – but this prison is in Ohio. Ohio citizens work there. Their families live here. When an inmate gets sick, they are transferred to local hospitals with Ohio doctors and nurses," DeWine said.

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Other Ohio Prisons

Five inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at a facility in Marion, and five inmates have tested positive at a facility in Pickaway County, DeWine said. Across the state's four prison facilities, 27 staffers have tested positive for the virus, but most are staffers in Marion.

"We are testing those who have symptoms. Each employee is screened when they arrive and their temperature is taken. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has decreased programming with citizens from outside the facility. We will talk more tomorrow about more steps we will take with regards to releasing prisoners," DeWine promised.

The governor said he would not release any dangerous prisoners, including sex offenders.

"We're going through the prisoners and taking a look at who might be getting close to release and who is in for a minor offense," DeWine said.

Preparing for the Surge

DeWine announced a list of sites to be converted into overflow hospital space throughout the state, to accommodate an impending surge of the new corona virus cases. More than 140 Ohioans have been killed by the new coronavirus, the state health department announced Monday afternoon. There are now 4,450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide.

"Representatives from health care systems, local governments, county emergency management agencies, state agencies, the Ohio National Guard, among others, have teamed up in regions of the state to look at buildings that can support large numbers of patients," Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday.

The following sites have been selected to expand hospital capacity:
1. Seagate Convention Center, Lucas County
2. Case Western University’s Health Education Campus, Cuyahoga County
3. Dayton Convention Center, Montgomery County
4. Covelli Convention Center, Mahoning County
5. Duke Energy Convention Center, Hamilton County
6. Greater Columbus Convention Center, Franklin County

DeWine said state officials are trying to procure as much protective equipment for health care workers as possible. Once that equipment is obtained, the goal is to extend the life of that equipment, using technology like Battelle's mask sanitizer.

Since the start of the outbreak in Ohio, at least 142 Ohioans have been killed by the virus. As of Monday afternoon, 1,214 Ohioans had been hospitalized because of the virus, and 371 landed in intensive care.

Cuyahoga County continues to lead the state in most confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 871 cases as of Monday afternoon. Mahoning County has seen the most death from the virus, with 17 confirmed dead.

Staying Home

Ohioans have been complying with Gov. Mike DeWine's stay-at-home order, according to new data. As of March 29, Google reports that statewide movement to retail and recreational locations, dropped 43 percent against the baseline. Travel to groceries and pharmacies fell 19 percent; to transport hubs and similar locations, 33 percent; and to workplaces 35percent. Mobility to places of residence increased 10 percent.

In Ohio, state officials have encouraged residents to visit parks, while social distancing. This has led to a dramatic spike in visitors at park areas, with Google reporting visitation is up 117 percent at Ohio parks, beaches and gardens.