COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine gave the latest updates on Ohio's response to the coronavirus pandemic Friday afternoon.
The state Department of Health now reports 9,107 cases of the virus, with 418 deaths. It's an increase of 693 cases since Thursday, the largest day-to-day jump since the pandemic began.
DeWine will be joined again by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton. The trio made headlines on Thursday when it was announced the state planned to gradually begin restarting its economy on May 1.
While he still has not given full details regarding the plans, the governor did share some preliminary guidelines on this day, remarking that the process would start "slowly" and that it would be made "by Ohioans, for Ohioans." In response to critics saying he "caved" on social distancing measures, DeWine asked them to "watch what the state does."
"They have every right to think that what we're doing is wrong," he said. "But throughout this, we have been exceedingly mindful of human life and protecting the people of the state of Ohio."
DeWine also announced he had commuted the sentences of seven prisoners within the state, the most notable of whom was former Lucas County Republican Party Chairman Tom Noe. Noe had served 13 and a half years in prison for corruption in the infamous "Coingate" scandal, as well as for illegally funneling money to then-President George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign.
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3News aired DeWine's full remarks live (although there is a minor gap due to technical difficulties). You can watch them again in the player below: