COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio

On March 9, Governor Mike DeWine reported Ohio's first 3 cases in Cuyahoga County, a couple who had returned from a Nile River cruise, and a man who had returned from an annual conference in Washington, DC where other cases of coronavirus had been reported.[6] Two days later, a fourth case, and the first instance of community spread, was confirmed by DeWine in Stark County.[7] Later tests showed the first case was February 15.[1]

By March 13, there were a total of 13 cases, with 159 others under observation.[8][9] Within a week the first death was announced. Mark Wagoner, Sr, a prominent Toledo attorney and friend of DeWine, died March 19.[10] Later tests showed the first coronavirus death had been March 17.[1]

By March 23, there were a cumulative 442 COVID-19 cases, 6 of which resulted in death.[11] By April 5 there were 4,043 cases, 1,104 hospitalizations including 346 ICU admissions, and 119 deaths.[12] As of April 9, twenty percent of cases involved healthcare workers.[12] By April 13 there were 6,975 cases, 2,033 hospitalizations including 613 ICU admissions, and 274 deaths.[1][12]

On April 14, Ohio had an additional 50 deaths for a total of 324.[13]

By April 14, Ohio was expecting the peak to happen on April 19.[14]

By April 17, the state had 9,107 confirmed and probable cases including 418 confirmed and probable deaths.[15] On the 25th the number of cases reached 15,587 and the number of deaths reached 711.[16] By April 28 Ohio had 16,769 cases, 3,340 hospitalizations including 1,004 ICU admissions, and 799 deaths.[1] On April 28, Vinton County first had cases reported to the state, so all 88 counties in Ohio had confirmed cases.[12] By May 4, there were 20,474 cases reported, including 1,056 deaths.[17]

On April 23, nearly 80% of inmates tested positive at two overcrowded Ohio prisons. At Marion Correctional Institution, there were 2,011 infected inmates and 157 infected workers, with two inmate and one worker deaths. At Pickaway Correctional Institution there were 1,555 infected inmates, 73 infected employees, and ten inmate deaths.[18]

On May 12, Ohio had reached 25,250 total cases, including 1,232 ICU admissions and 1,436 deaths.[1] On May 12, the state department of health noted that antibody tests showed presence of the disease as early as January 7, with positive results in several counties in January.[19]

On May 20, the state announced that 1,247 of 1,781 deaths announced to that date, or 70 percent, were in nursing home or long-term care facilities.[20] By May 26 there had been 33,006 reported cases, leading to 5,579 hospitalizations and 2,002 deaths. 1,450 of the hospitalizations were ICU admissions.[21]

By May 21, in Ohio prisons more than 4,500 inmates had tested positive, with four prison worker and 63 inmate deaths.[22] Mass-testing in prisons had been stopped in late April.[23]

In late June and early July, some counties in Ohio experienced a sharp increase in cases.[24]

On July 4, 91 cases were reported as the result of a 56-year-old man who had attended a church service on June 14 when he was contagious.[25]

On July 22, the City of Cleveland reported 70 new cases among its residents but no new deaths.[26]

On August 6, Governor DeWine said that an infected man who attended a single church service caused an outbreak of 91 COVID-19 cases.[27]

On August 21, Ohio State University issued 228 interim suspensions to students for violations of COVID-19 safety guidelines.[28]

On September 1, Miami University announced plans for testing of all students. Many of the 27 cases reported among athletes had been traced to an off-campus gathering in early August.[29] Between August 17 and September 3, about 704 Miami students had tested positive.[30]

On September 3, Ohio State University reported 882 positive cases among students and 20 positive cases among employees. Off-campus students tested in the previous 24 hours had a 9.66 positivity rate, while on-campus students had a 5.7 percent positivity rate. Further suspensions may be issued for gatherings of ten or more people without masks or social distancing.[31] The University of Dayton announced that the cumulative number of positive cases among on-campus students was 1,042, almost 10% of all students, and included 639 active cases.[32]

On September 20, Ohio State reached 2,580 cumulative positive tests, surpassing the total cases at the Marion Correctional Institution, to become the largest outbreak in the state.[33]

As of October 1, there have been 155,314 reported cases in Ohio, leading to 4,817 deaths.[34] By October 12, there were 170,179 reported cases, leading to 5,005 deaths.[35] By October 16, there were 177,991 reported cases leading to 5,054 deaths.[36]

On October 22, 38 Ohio counties were on red alert for coronavirus spread. Cuyahoga, Clark and Hamilton County were on "watch" for declaration of a purple "public emergency" level, having met the criteria for one out of the two weeks required.[37] By October 22, 190,430 cases were reported in Ohio since the beginning of the pandemic, leading to 5,161 deaths.[38] By October 27, 202,740 cases were reported, leading to 5,239 deaths.[39] On October 29, the number of new cases recorded in 24 hours topped 3,500 for the first time.[40] 3,845 new cases were reported October 30.[41]

On October 29, Ohio had 3,590 new cases in a 24-hour period. This was the first time the state surpassed 3,000 daily cases, and 25% higher than the record high on the previous Saturday. 43% of Ohio counties, and 78% of Ohio residents were coded "red" for high exposure and spread.[42][43]

On October 31, the 7-day test positivity rate was 6.9%.[44] Two restaurants in Cleveland were cited for violating health orders with large Halloween gatherings.[45]

By November 2, 221,909 COVID-19 cases had been reported, leading to 5,340 deaths.[46] On November 3, classes were canceled at Clyde High School in Clyde due to several positive cases.[47] By November 4, 230,209 cases had been reported. Those cases have lead to 5,428 deaths.[48] The total number of cases surpassed 250,000 on November 8.[49] 7,101 cases were reported on November 12, which was the highest number of cases recorded in a day since Ohio began recording.[50] The record was again broken on November 13, when 8,071 new cases were recorded.[51] By November 19, 326,615 cases had been reported, leading to 5,890 deaths.[52] On November 20, 8,808 cases had been reported in 24 hours.[53] The total number of cases surpassed 350,000 on November 22.[54] On November 23, 11,885 new cases were reported and the number of total deaths caused by the virus surpassed 6,000.[55] The number of deaths reported in 24 hours was 98 on November 24.[56] On November 27, 17,065 new cases were reported for a two-day period after no report for Thanksgiving on November 26.[57] As of November 28, 406,703 total cases had been reported.[58]

By December 1, the number of total cases had increased to 430,093.[59] By December 6, there were 475,024 total reported cases leading to 6,959 deaths.[60] By December 7, the number of deaths surpassed 7,000.[61] By December 8, the number of total cases reported was 510,018 while the total number of hospitalizations was 30,226.[62] By December 10, a total of 7,298 people in Ohio had died from the virus.[63] By December 12, a total of 553,461 cases had been reported leading to 31,803 hospitalizations and 7,477 deaths.[2] The number of total cases surpassed 600,000 on December 18.[64] On December 19, the total number of deaths surpassed 8,000.[65] As of December 26, 664,668 total cases had been reported.[66] By December 31, 700,380 cases had been reported.[67]

By January 3, 2021, the total number of deaths had increased to 9,076.[68] By January 6, the number of total hospitalizations had increased to 40,104.[69] By January 7, 753,068 total cases had been reported.[70] By January 14, 807,293 cases had been reported, leading to 9,990 deaths.[71] By January 15, the total number of deaths surpassed 10,000.[72] The number of deaths surpassed 11,000 on January 28.[73]

As of February 2, 902,736 total cases had been reported.[74]

Source: Ohio dashboard, February 7, 2021.[12]
Note: all data is preliminary and subject to change as more information is reported

On April 14 DeWine said he couldn't imagine any businesses reopening without employees wearing masks.[14] DeWine announced April 16 that some reopenings would start on May 1.[161] On April 16, Trump announced that states could restart their economies when they had 14 days of declining cases.[162]

On April 27, the governor announced Phase 1 of the state's reopening plan. The businesses allowed to reopen would be on this schedule:[163]

• Friday, May 1: Hospital, medical, dental, and veterinary services that don't require an overnight hospital stay.
• Monday, May 4: Construction, distribution, manufacturing, and general offices
• Tuesday, May 12: Consumer, retail, and service businesses

The plan also listed those types of businesses that would not reopen, and a list of rules and guidelines, including mandatory face coverings worn at all times.[163] DeWine later reversed the order requiring people to wear face masks in businesses, saying that it “went too far."[164]

On May 7, DeWine announced that on Friday, May 15, barbershops and salons may re-open. Also on May 15, patio service can resume at bars and restaurants. Parties at restaurants and bars must have 10 people or less and must be separated by a physical barrier or six feet of space. Restaurants and bars can resume dine-in services on May 21.[165]

On May 14, DeWine and Acton announced more re-opening dates. Campgrounds will open on May 21, horse racing will open on May 22, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), gyms, fitness centers, pools, and sports leagues (only for sports involving limited or no contact) will open on May 26, and childcare centers will re-open on May 31.[166] Personal services such as salons, spas, massage therapy, tattoo services, and piercing services re-opened on May 15.[167] On May 21, Lt. Governor Husted announced that bowling alleys, miniature golf, and batting cages can reopen May 26, so long as they follow certain protocols. He also announced that wedding venues and banquet halls may open on June 1 with the following restrictions: there must be six feet between tables; no congregating is allowed, and crowds can have no more than 300 people.[168] Child care providers and day camps were allowed to re-open on May 31.[169] Starting June 8, assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities will allow outside visitation.[170] On June 5 DeWine announced that entertainment facilities such as movie theaters and zoos may re-open in one week and that casinos, racinos, amusement parks, water parks, and outdoor theaters could reopen in two weeks. DeWine's office will approve a safety plan which will allow the Memorial Tournament to be held from July 13–19.[171] Practice for contact sports can begin on June 22.[172] DeWine announced on June 30 that nursing homes will be open for outdoor visitation starting July 20.[173] On July 2 DeWine released guidelines for schools to follow as they re-open. They include: Vigilantly assessing for symptoms; Washing and sanitizing hands; Clean and sanitizing schools thoroughly; Social distancing; And implementing face covering policies.[174] In August, the Ohio Department of Health Director introduced a mask mandate for students in K-12 schools.[175] In the fall of 2020, school sports are allowed, but with limited spectators.[176] On September 23, DeWine issued an order allowing restaurants to fully open but with restrictions.[177] Relaxed visitations at nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be allowed starting October 12.[178] On January 26, Governor DeWine announced the criteria for lifting the 10 p.m. curfew.[179] On January 27, DeWine announced that, starting January 28, the stateside curfew would start at 11 p.m.[180]

On March 26 Acton said that the measures implemented in Ohio had decreased the impact on the state's healthcare system by 50 to 75%.[129][100] On March 27, Acton projected Ohio cases to peak in mid-May at 10,000 per day.[130] By the first week in April, crediting Ohioan's compliance with social distancing requests, she had revised the projection to mid-to-late April or early May.[181] On April 8, Acton said that the effectiveness of physical distancing being incorporated into modeling led to a revised projection of a new peak of 1,600 new cases per day in late April.[182]

The Washington Post on April 9 said Ohio "was realizing the benefits of early intervention in the pandemic by its government and medical community," with fewer than 1/3 as many cases and "a small fraction of the deaths" as Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, all nearby comparably-sized states.[96]

On October 24, President Trump held a campaign rally at the Pickaway County Fairgrounds in Circleville. "The seats were just inches apart in rows spaced less than 3 feet apart. The many more standees were packed closely together. The use of face masks was sporadic at best." President Trump told the crowd, “It’s going away, it’s rounding the turn.”[183] However, according to 10 WNBS News, "cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions ... [had] increased in recent weeks."[184]

Protesters in front of the Ohio Statehouse on May 1, 2020

Protesting the shutdown and business closures at the Ohio Statehouse on April 18

While multiple media outlets praised DeWine and Acton's orders, a group of 75 protested the restrictions on nonessential workers outside the Statehouse during their April 9 press conference.[185] Another protest was staged April 13, reporters commenting that the protesters could be heard and were "pounding on the windows" during the press conference.[186] On April 14, 100 protesters gathered at the Statehouse during DeWine's press conference.[187]

On April 18 several hundred protesters again assembled at the Statehouse.[188] Two men at the protest had a sign with anti-semitic imagery, showing a rat wearing a yarmulke and a Star of David with the caption, "The real plague."[189] Protests continued on April 20 with hundreds gathering outside the Statehouse.[190] On May 1, another large protest occurred during DeWine's press conference.[191] Protests at the statehouse continued the next day.[192]

On April 16, 2020, a Columbus bridal shop owner, represented by the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, sued Acton for violating the shop owner's constitutional rights because of the stay-at-home order provided "no meaningful post-closure process built into it to determine whether a business is 'essential' and can re-open" and asking that the court for a "temporary restraining order that requires the state to provide an immediate hearing for a business closed by the government, in which officials must specifically say why a business is not essential."[193]

In late April, 32 Ohio state representative Republicans called for DeWine to reopen the state's economy completely on May 1.[194] In August, several Republicans filed an impeachment resolution that alleges that Dewine: gave Ohio's health department overly broad leeway to issue COVID-19 guidelines; "conspired" with the Ohio secretary of state to delay the March primary; and forced businesses to close, leading to a major economic slowdown.[195] On September 28, Representative John Becker filed to have criminal charges brought against DeWine for his response to COVID-19. The criminal charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, complicity, terrorism, making terroristic threats, inducing panic, conspiracy, bribery, interfering with civil rights, coercion, and patient abuse or neglect.[196][197]

On September 8, attendees at a Women for Trump event in Westerville featuring South Dakota Governor Christie Noem criticized Ohio Governor DeWine's handling of the pandemic. Noem, whose state had a 22% positivity rate, "described how she disdained a push by state health officials to require masks, limit business activities and take other actions to halt the spread of COVID-19."[198] The Ohio Democratic Party questioned whether Noem had followed "the guidance of Mike DeWine’s health department" requiring self-quarantine for 14 days for visitors from states with high positivity.[199]

On September 21, at a Trump campaign rally in Swanton, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted urged rally attendees to wear masks and was booed by the crowd.[200][201] Governor DeWine was received with a mixture of cheers and boos.[202] President Trump's speech described the disparate impact of the virus on the elderly and on the young, saying: "It affects elderly people. Elderly people with heart problems and other problems. If they have other problems, that’s what it really affects. That’s it." He concluded, "Take your hat off to the young because they have a hell of an immune system. But it affects virtually nobody. It’s an amazing thing." The use of the phrase "it affects virtually nobody," on a day when Ohio had reached a total of over 9,318 cases among children, prompted criticism of the President's rhetoric on the virus.[203][204][205][206]

On October 21, in an interview in The Hill, an Ohio farmer described how his advocacy group, Rural America 2020, is putting up billboards that read “Trump COVID superspreader event” with an arrow near campaign rallies. He said, "super spreader events ... are scaring the dickens out of folks in rural areas."[207]

Ohio's 2020 primary elections were scheduled to be held Tuesday, March 17. DeWine, Acton, and Secretary of State Frank LaRose held an afternoon press conference on Monday, March 16 to cover precautions being taken for the next day's primary election.[114] LaRose issued an order to county boards of election allowing curbside voting.[114]

DeWine recommended pushing the primaries into June[208] but did not think he had the authority to change the date.[209] DeWine and LaRose sought a court order to close down the elections, having former Ohio Department of Aging Director Judith Brachman file a suit in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to delay the election, but Judge Richard A. Frye denied it, saying it would set a "terrible precedent" and would represent a judge rewriting election code hours before an election.[209]

Acton, who according to the Columbus Dispatch "has enormous powers during a health emergency", eventually announced at 10:08 pm that polls would be closed as a "health emergency."[209][210] DeWine announced that LaRose would "seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity."[210]

Acting on behalf of a candidate for a Wood County Common Pleas judgeship, Corey Spiewak, Perrysburg attorney Andy Mayle filed a suit in the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn Acton's action.[211] The court ordered the state to respond to the suit by 1:30 am Tuesday, saying that "Due to exigent circumstances, this matter will be decided on the complaint and answer. No requests or stipulations for extension of time shall be filed, and the clerk of the court shall refuse to file any requests or stipulations for extension of time.[212] Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Solicitor General Benjamin M. Flowers filed an answer on behalf of LaRose.[213] A decision denying the writ was issued by four justices.[214] The three who did not participate in the decision were Judith French and Sharon Kennedy, both of whom were running for re-election, and Pat DeWine, who is the governor's son.[212]

On March 17, after Acton issued an order prohibiting nonessential surgeries to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE),[225] DeWine said abortions should be included except when the pregnant woman's life is at risk.[226] Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Fulkerson sent letters to three abortion providers to compel them to comply with the state ban on nonessential medical procedures. District Court Judge Michael Barrett ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood on April 1, ordering a two-week suspension of the ban.[227] The State of Ohio appealed Barrett's decision and asked him to put a hold on his order until the appeal was decided, which he declined to do. State of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost later clarified that all medical abortions were still allowed, and that "doctors remain free to perform surgical abortions necessary for a mother's health or life, and also surgical abortions that cannot be delayed without jeopardizing the patient's abortion rights."[225] On April 6, the State's request for an appeal was dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.[228]

Social distancing measure taken in a university computer lab on March 13th.

On March 10 DeWine asked colleges and universities to go to remote classes.[103] Within several days many private and public colleges and universities had announced campus closings and a move to online classes.[229][230][231][232] On March 12 DeWine closed all K-12 schools starting March 16.[104] On March 30 he extended those closings to May 1.[233] On April 20, he ordered that all K-12 schools in the state remain closed for the rest of the 2019–2020 academic year [234] On May 6, Governor DeWine announced a $775 million budget reduction over the next two months. Spending on K-12 schools will be reduced by $300 million. Spending on other education will be reduced by $55 million and higher education spending will be reduced by $110 million.[235]

On December 30, DeWine announced that he would extend the curfew until January 23. He also announced that schools would be allowed to resume full in-person learning on March 1. Students will be required to wear masks and social distance.[236] DeWine also announced new looser guidelines for schools. COVID-19-exposed student are no longer required to quarantine at home, unless masking and social distancing cannot be enforced.[237][238]

NPR reported on March 24 that "Almost 140,000 people filed for unemployment benefits in Ohio last week compared with fewer than 5,000 a week earlier."[239] On April 7, when asked about delays in the filing, Lieutenant Governor Husted said over 500 additional employees had been hired to process applications, bringing the number of employees of Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to 829 employees.[181]

Marion Correctional Institution

Elkton Federal Prison

On April 8, the National Guard arrived at Elkton Federal Prison in Columbiana County to assist the medical staff when a large number of prisoners became ill with the virus.[240] On April 18, the National Guard and Highway Patrol arrived at the state prison in Marion county to assist with "mission critical functions" after infections of correctional workers and prisoners.[241] By April 19, over 1800 prisoners at Marion Correctional Institution, approximately 3/4ths of the population, plus 100 staff had tested positive.[242] Overall the prison system had almost 2500 cases by April 19, representing almost a fifth of Ohio's cases.[242] On April 20 Acton said the prison testing results were indicating that as many as 70% of cases may be asymptomatic.[243]

On April 22, the Marion County prison was the top hotspot for the virus in the country, and the Pickaway Correctional Institution was second-ranked. Marion County was first in cases per capita in the nation, while Pickaway County was fourth.[244] The Ohio prison system is designed to hold about 35,000 inmates but held about 49,000 in April 2020.[245]

On April 22, federal judge James S. Gwin ordered Elkton prison to identify vulnerable inmates and transfer them from the facility. He ordered officials to "evaluate each subclass member's eligibility for transfer out of Elkton through any means, including but not limited to compassionate release, parole or community supervision, transfer furlough or non-transfer furlough within two weeks." He noted, “with the shockingly limited available testing and the inability to distance inmates, COVID-19 is going to continue to spread, not only among the inmate population but also among the staff." He condemned the Federal Department of Corrections, asking "Why has the Justice Department allocated Elkton an entirely insignificant number of tests while Ohio has been able to pull off mass testing across not only Marion but at multiple institutions?"[246]

On May 19, Gwin ordered federal prison officials to begin the process of releasing eligible inmates at Elkton into home confinement for health and safety reasons. He said that “by thumbing their nose at their authority to authorize home confinement, (prison officials) threaten staff and they threaten low-security inmates.” By that date, nine inmates had died from COVID-19. He ordered the release of 837 medically-vulnerable prisoners, (those 65+ or with pre-existing conditions), to home confinement, compassionate release, or to provide detailed reasons for the denial. He also chided the prison for slow progress in testing, noting that "despite the obvious need for rapid implementation for mass testing across the entire institution, they are only conducting tests on Mondays and Tuesdays."[247]

COTA buses notify riders to board using rear doors only

In early March, as the pandemic began affecting Columbus, the city's public transit ridership began dropping, approximately 40 percent. It's public transit agency COTA began by introducing thorough cleaning measures, followed by reducing several rush-hour services on March 17. On March 19, it suspended fare collection, making all rides temporarily free, and required passengers to board and depart buses from the rear doors. On the same day, it also modified all rush-hour lines and suspended its AirConnect and Night Owl services. On March 20, the agency recommended only using its services for essential travel; two days later it shut down several rush-hour services and reduced frequencies of nine crosstown lines. On March 24, it stopped all rush-hour services until further notice.[248] On March 26, the agency began "dynamic service" to pick up customers left at bus stops by too-full buses; the agency's current policy is for a maximum of 20 passengers per bus.[249]

By April 11, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority began requiring riders to wear face coverings.[250]

The bishops of the Catholic Conference of Ohio suspended all public Masses in Ohio beginning March 16, dispensing with the obligation to attend Sunday Mass initially through Easter.[251][252][253] On April 28, the suspension of mass and dispensation was extended through May 29.[254] On May 8, the bishops announced the resumption of daily public Masses on May 25, with the dispensation continuing indefinitely.[255]

The Genoa Baptist Church of Westerville, Ohio switched to a drive-in format.[256] The Bishop of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church urged the temporary closing of Methodist churches.[257] Ohio's Amish steering committee advised all church districts to heed the state's orders against gatherings of more than 10, telling Amish ”to cancel or postpone weddings, youth and family gatherings until further notice.”[218]

A restaurant in Perrysburg advertising takeout ordering during the pandemic.

The closing of restaurants and bars affected 22,000 restaurants across the state and 500,000 workers.[258] On March 20 a group of Cincinnati restaurateurs called on the federal government to provide a $225 billion bailout to the US restaurant industry.[259]

Most of state's sports teams were affected. Several leagues began postponing or suspending their seasons starting 12 March. Major League Baseball cancelled the remainder of spring training on that date, and on March 16, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds.[260] Also on March 12, the National Basketball Association announced the season would be suspended for 30 days, affecting the Cleveland Cavaliers.[261] In the National Hockey League, the season was suspended for an indefinite amount of time, affecting the Columbus Blue Jackets.[262]

In college sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association cancelled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.[263] On March 16, the National Junior College Athletic Association also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.[264]

The Summit Motorsports Park announced they would ignore the stay at home order on April 16, and reopen for the 2020 season.[265][266] At a panel held at the Ohio House of Representatives, the owner of the park testified his beliefs that the shutdown of businesses was more for political reasons than for health reasons, and that there was a nationwide mandate to mark every fatality in the United States of America as being caused by COVID-19.[267][268]

On May 20, the Eldora Speedway owned by Tony Stewart, announced one of its largest events of the season would be rescheduled to June 2021 in accordance with the ongoing restrictions on mass gatherings and spectator sports at large venues.[269] A decision on the dirt track's other major events was not announced.