COVID-19 cases pass 6,500 for new record
Dewine plans address ‘to discuss critical stage’
With new coronavirus cases in Ohio soaring to a record of more than 6,000, Gov. Mike Dewine plans a statewide address early Wednesday evening “to discuss the critical stage Ohio is at in battling COVID-19.”
Dewine canceled his typical Tuesday afternoon virus news conference ahead of his 5:30 p.m. address on Wednesday, which his office said will discuss the pandemic’s “impact on Ohio moving forward.”
Less than three hours after the announcement of Dewine’s address, state health officials reported 6,508 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday— nearly 1,000 higher than the previous record set Saturday — while hospitalizations soared.
The governor’s office declined to provide more details or discuss what Dewine might announce, with the timing positioning his remarks to be shown live on local TV news broadcasts.
Dewine has balked at imposing additional or tougher restrictions on businesses and gatherings as cases have climbed, but has said he will do what is needed to keep Ohioans safe despite pushback from fellow Republican legislators.
The escalating virus numbers could prod Dewine to take new action as some governors are imposing additional restrictions with cases rising in all 50 states.
Ohio’s 13 highest daily case totals of the pandemic have come in the past 13 days, with the numbers surpassing 4,000 for the first time on Nov. 3 and then quickly racing past 5,000 three days later. The leap past 6,000 cases on Tuesday came only four days after 5,000 was reached.
Hospitalizations totaled a daily record of 386 on Tuesday, increasing the number of COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized to a record 2,747. The 386 hospitalizations is more than twice the three-week average of 174 and 67% higher than the former daily record of 231 set on Friday. Hospital officials worry their capacities are being stretched, particularly as medical