DeWine loosens some visitation restrictions; nursing homes must wait

May 28--COLUMBUS -- Families of residents in assisted-living facilities and intermediate-care facilities for the developmentally disabled may resume visits of their loved ones beginning on June 8, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday.

The visits may only take place outdoors for now at the discretion of the facilities.

The governor will wait to see how that goes before announcing further loosening of restrictions on visits to nursing homes and other congregate settings.

"I know that causes anguish for a lot of people..., but we're trying to do this so we don't increase COVID inside nursing homes, assisted living, or the intermediate-care facilities," Mr. DeWine said.

Mr. DeWine discussed the matter during a news conference in Columbus Thursday afternoon. The governor gave such updates almost daily throughout the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but he has petered out in recent weeks. The next briefing, for example, is not scheduled to take place until Tuesday.

One of the first actions the governor took in this crisis was to halt visitations to prevent the carrying of coronavirus into nursing homes, where more than half of Ohio's related deaths have occurred.

The loosening of visits to assisted-living and intermediate-care facilities follows stepped-up testing of staff and residents of nursing homes, with the Ohio National Guard entering facilities with a history of coronavirus infection on Monday.

There have been four deaths in Ohio's developmental disability centers, all of them at Northwest Ohio's facility in Toledo.

A limited version of county, independent, and junior fairs -- focusing on such things as livestock and education rather than amusement rides and sideshows -- may also proceed if county fair boards and health boards agree on how to safely hold such events, the governor said.

The governor also expanded those who may get in nearer to the front of the line for what coronavirus testing is available from facilities associated with the Ohio Department of Health. So far, tests have been largely reserved for the hospitalized, health-care workers, nursing homes and other congregate facilities, high-risk populations like the elderly, those about to undergo surgery, and those on the front lines like grocery store workers.

Now anyone else in the community who is experiencing symptoms may request a test. Mr. DeWine said he expects more pharmacists to offer testing in addition to what is being done through pharmacy retail chains. The state plans to add a map to its information site at coronavirus.ohio.gov explaining where tests may be obtained.

The governor also announced that the Bureau of Workers' Compensation will defer struggling employers' premiums through August.

The state's 476 new cases of coronavirus announced Thursday were below the 21-day average of 561, for a total of 33,915 cases. But deaths were above the rolling average at 54 for the day, compared to the 21-day average of 39. A total of 2,098 coronavirus deaths have been reported in the state.

There were 111 hospitalizations and 24 ICU stays, both above the 21-day average.

The coronavirus case count in Lucas County climbed to 2,181 Thursday, local officials said. The county has also tallied 233 deaths from the virus.

Mr. DeWine noted worrisome numbers out of Hamilton and Butler counties in southwest Ohio, where the measurement of infection has climbed to about 1:2, meaning one infected person on average is infecting two others. The state as a whole has suppressed that ratio to about 1:1.

This occurs as day care centers and day camps will become the latest sectors of the economy to reopen after this weekend. They will do so while serving fewer children and facing tighter hygiene, disinfection, and health-monitoring requirements.

The governor has not yet lifted or altered his general prohibition on gatherings of 10 or more people, something closely watched by the likes of amusement parks, museums, and zoos.

But Mr. DeWine was not ready on Thursday to rule out his personal attendance at what would be the ultimate of mass gatherings -- the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. in August. President Trump has insisted that it proceed as planned en mass inside the Spectrum Center.

Both Mr. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted are delegates.

"The world may fundamentally change between now and then," Mr. DeWine said. "We just don't know how it's going to change...If the question is whether that convention could occur in Ohio today, no, it couldn't. You couldn't have that kind of mass gathering and have it considered safe."

He said it's still unknown exactly what the convention would look like. Mr. Husted agreed.

Senate President Larry Obhof (R., Medina) reached out to The Blade during the governor's briefing with reporters to say he was looking forward to attending.

"I am sure that by August we will have a better sense of how to operate mass gatherings safely, and I think three months gives plenty of time to prepare," he said.

The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee was delayed until August because of infection concerns. Presumptive nominee Joe Biden has questioned whether it can still proceed as a traditional in-person convention.

Fewer Ohioans are filing for unemployment compensation as the state's economy slowly reawakens. Last week, 42,082 filed claims for a total of nearly $1.26 million over the last 10 weeks. That's more than all those who filed during the previous three years.

The Department of Job and Family Services reported paying out a total of $3.1 billion in benefits to more than 644,000 Ohioans. The state said more than 93 percent of all claims have been processed.

The state has also paid out $647 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to 109,000 people, a federal program for contract and self-employed workers who would traditionally not be eligible for unemployment. Claims may be filed at unemployment.ohio.gov.

Check back for updates.

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