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Ohio coronavirus update: 12,919 cases, 509 deaths; Gov. DeWine closes schools for remainder of academic year

DeWine also announced changes to how the state reports COVID-19 data, plus the formation of a Minority Health Strike Force.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton are holding a briefing on the latest response to COVID-19 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

There are 12,919 confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus in the state of Ohio as of Tuesday. 509 people have died and another 2,653 are hospitalized.

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Monday's big announcement from DeWine was his decision to have Ohio's K-12 schools to continue to do remote classes for the remainder of the school year. 

RELATED: Gov. Mike DeWine announces that Ohio schools will remain closed through academic calendar

"We've flattened the curve, but the virus remains," DeWine explained. "Also, to go back to school now with a relatively small amount of time left - many educators have expressed to me that this wouldn't be a good idea even if the health situation was resolved." 

As far as what will happen to schools this fall, DeWine said no decision has been made yet, but said it was possible that a blended system might take place --- some distance learning as well as some in-person learning. "That's just a possibility and each school district is different," he said. 

Other notes from Monday's briefing:

  • In an effort to provide transparency to the general public, the Ohio Department of Health has modified its dashboards that allow users to access coronavirus (COVID-19) data from multiple sources.
  • With COVID19 is disproportionately impacting African Americans in Ohio and the country, DeWine announced the formation of a Minority Health Strike Force.

Click here for our coronavirus section.

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