CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Despite initially testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) -- before later testing negative -- on Thursday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press briefing on Friday from his home in Cedarville.
RELATED: More coronavirus coverage from WKYC
Here's what was discussed during Governor DeWine's news conference on Friday:
DeWine's roller coaster Thursday
Thursday marked a wild day for DeWine, who tested positive for the coronavirus after undergoing a rapid test as a part of the protocol to greet President Donald J. Trump upon his arrival in Cleveland for a visit to the Whirlpool factory in Clyde and a fundraiser in Bratenahl.
Upon returning to Columbus, the 73-year-old DeWine -- who wasn't showing any symptoms -- underwent a second, more standard, coronavirus test, which returned a negative result.
"Yesterday was kind of a crazy day," DeWine admitted as he kicked of Friday's briefing. "It was kind of a rollercoaster day. As I communicated last night, we started [in Cedarville], went to Cleveland, went to Case [Western Reserve University] to get a test set up by the White House. Left and went to the airport fully expecting to see the president. I did not have that opportunity because they told me that I couldn't see the president and the reason was that I tested positive. So that was quite a big shock.
"I came back and got a test. I talked to Dr. Andy Thomas at Ohio State who I have had on here before. He's helped us throughout the pandemic in dealing with the coronavirus. So I called him, we set up a test and Fran [DeWine] and I and some of the people who work with me every day... and we took the test and then we went home. We came back here to Cedarville and just waited."
Sports
DeWine doesn't have new guidance regarding sports in the state just yet. But it's on its way.
The governor said that the state will announce new protocols regarding professional, high school and junior high sports next week. While DeWine acknowledged there are currently concerns about the viability of a fall sports season at the high school and youth levels, he also said that administrators are doing everything they can to make a season safely happen.
While Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said the state's current order regarding policies and procedures for contact sports isn't the one it intends to apply to the fall sports season, it has yet to be replaced. As a result, many athletes -- especially at the high school level -- have been left to wonder about the viability of a fall sports season as the state continues to require coronavirus testing for every athlete prior to competition.
Until Ohio issues a new order regarding contact sports, those questions will remain. Additionally, Husted revealed that the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have both submitted proposals to host fans this season, which permitted under the state's current order.
State Health Advisory Update
DeWine noted that the state is seeing plateauing (even declining) COVID-19 numbers in recent days: "People have gotten the message: Masks work."
Cuyahoga, Medina, and Erie counties are remaining at Level 3 (red) status. DeWine noted that Cuyahoga is "seeming to do better," although it remains in the red zone. New cases have been steadily dropping, but remain above the recommended threshold. Medina County cases are increasing, with DeWine attributing this to manufacturing plants out-of-state trips to "hot spots."
You can watch Friday's briefing in the player below: