COLUMBUS, Ohio — A lot has happened this week in terms of Ohio's battle with surging COVID-19 numbers. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has issued a new statewide curfew, multiple counties have activated stay-at-home advisories and Akron passed legislation to limit the number of outside guests permitted inside one residence.
On Thursday, Gov. DeWine held a COVID-19 briefing from his home in Cedarville. Here were some of the most important takeaways:
Franklin County is the first to reach 'purple' status; Lake, Lorain among those on watch list
As he does each Thursday afternoon, Gov. DeWine offered an updated look at the state’s colored-coded alert status map. Franklin County is now the first county in Ohio to reach the Level 4 (purple) status. Lake and Lorain counties are among those on the watch list.
Updated COVID-19 numbers after Wednesday delay
For the first time since the pandemic began, the state of Ohio posted incomplete COVID-19 data Wednesday. DeWine said the state made a decision to double-check all antigen test results, so the 24-hour case change is low. "Our data team tells us there are 12,000 antigen tests that have not yet been double-checked. Most of the 12,000 are expected to be confirmed," he said.
DeWine will veto SB 311
DeWine addressed the legislation moving through the Ohio General Assembly that would put new limits on the governor’s authority to issue health emergency orders.
"Doctors, nurses, and scientists have all advised me that this bill would do great harm if it became law. For that reason, if SB 311 passes, I will veto it," DeWine said.
Ohio medical professionals report from the front lines of COVID-19
DeWine brought in several of the state's medical professionals to talk about how they are viewing the spike in coronavirus cases up close. "We must find a way to push back this tsunami. Stay home, wear a mask, stay socially distant, do not gather for Thanksgiving. This is so important," said Cheryl Herbert, a Senior Vice President at OhioHealth and a registered nurse for more than 40 years.
MORE HEADLINES:
- RELATED: Summit County issues stay-at-home advisory: Residents urged to only leave home for essential needs, work or school
- RELATED: Gov. Mike DeWine asks all Ohioans to 'stay home more' while addressing COVID-19 spike in Cleveland
- RELATED: How does Ohio's COVID-19 curfew work? What are the exceptions? Your questions answered
You can watch Thursday's COVID-19 briefing below