Ohio's Pandemic Peak Might Not Come Until May, Models Show; Coronavirus Update, March 27, 2020

Updated: 5:07 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2020

Coronavirus-related deaths in Ohio climbed to 19 and cases jumped by 31 percent, state health officials announced Friday, along with the prediction that there could be as many as 10,000 new cases per day at the peak, which is now expected in mid-May.

Gov. Mike DeWine started his daily coronavirus update by signing the bill passed unanimously by state lawmakers earlier this week which waives school testing requirements this academic year, suspends the one-week waiting period for unemployment compensation, allows people to get joblessness benefits if they are sick or quarantined, moves the state income tax filing deadline to July 15 and extends absentee voting for the March 17 primary to April 28.

The orders he's issued so far are aimed at two goals, DeWine said: to continue social distancing to buy more time and to build up the state’s healthcare system to be ready when the surge comes.

New modeling suggests the state may not hit the peak till mid-May, DeWine said Friday, and experts are telling the governor that Ohio may need to build up two to three times the capacity the healthcare system currently has.

"We have a long way to go, and that’s a stark reality," said DeWine.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton said there could be 6,000 to 10,000 cases of coronavirus per day at the peak, which has now potentially been pushed out to mid-May from May 1. And modeling shows the state's efforts on social distancing are working, she said Ohio is only at about one-third of the hospital capacity that will be needed – even with that "flattened" curve.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also joined the press conference, via phone, to discuss the package Congress worked out to, among many other things, send about $1,200 to most Americans to help them weather the pandemic. Checks could go out as soon as next week, Portman said.

The bill also would offer new and expanded loans from the Small Business Association, Portman said, with the offer converting from a loan to a grant if the money is used for payroll, rent or other expenses. The money will be offered by 800 U.S. financial institutions, Portman said.

A new way to support Ohio businesses, from restaurants to shops to online events is also now available at ohio.org/supportlocalohio, DeWine said. More than 250 businesses events from across the state are already listed and business owners can create their own listings as well.