Ohio COVID-19 Deaths Spike, State Launches Effort To Help Unemployed

Cuyahoga County currently has the highest unemployment rate in Ohio at 12.9 percent.

That statistic has led the state to pilot a new program there to help connect people to training and available jobs. Called Ohio to Work, the program has been developed by the state’s JobsOhio agency, which Director J.B. Nauseef said Tuesday during the governor’s coronavirus briefing is uniquely capable of getting help out quickly.

The initiative involves a partnership with more than 30 businesses in the Cleveland area, Nauseef said and “many of them helped design the program.”

The partnership also has as partners the Urban League, Goodwill and Ohio Means Jobs to make sure Ohio’s recovery helps those most in need. Nauseef said 40 percent of the unemployed in Cuyahoga County are African American, compared to 20 percent statewide.

“It’s a collaborative effort designed to address this need by optimizing and supercharging the current workforce development system,” he said.

Every person who signs up for the program will be assigned a coach, who will help guide them to training and ultimately to a sustainable, higher-paying new career.

Gov. Mike DeWine noted there are several industries looking for skilled employees, including healthcare, technology and advanced manufacturing.

"This new program brings together employers, non-profits, educators, training providers to help Ohioans reskill and restart their careers." he said.

After the program is underway in Cleveland, DeWine said the state hopes to expand the program statewide in the months ahead. Career fairs are set to begin in October. Those interested in learning more can visit the Ohio to Workwebsite.

Higher Death Toll

Also at the Tuesday briefing, DeWine reported Ohio has seen 87 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

“This is the highest number of deaths reported since early May,” he said, noting it’s also the third-highest since reporting began. But DeWine also said the deaths did not all necessarily occur in the last 24 hours: “83 percent of the deaths reported in the last 24 hours happened in the last month.”

Daily New Confirmed & Probable COVID-19 Cases In Ohio
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Data from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) indicates counties seeing the highest number of cases per 100,000 people right now include Putnam, Mercer and Butler.

Statewide, the latest data shows Ohio at an average of 8.3 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of 3.6 percent.

Testing Efforts Continue

Ohio continues to work toward increasing the number of people being tested for COVID-19, the governor said.

This week, testing resumes in assisted living facilities where it had been paused because of inconsistent test results. State Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy said plans are to conduct testing at assisted living facilities every other week.

“We have about 770 of those throughout the state,” McElroy said. “You’re looking at about 80,000 people or so who have to be tested.”

In nursing homes, the state continues to pursue more frequent testing to help those most at risk for COVID-19. The majority of deaths due to the coronavirus in Ohio have occurred in the state’s nursing homes.

Ohio’s adult day care centers are preparing to reopen Sept. 21 and will test staff and participants at those facilities every other week. Staff at senior centers will also be tested every other week, with participant testing conducted strategically to prevent spread.

Nursing Home Visitation

McElroy also said the state soon will announce a plan for indoor visitation at nursing homes. Outdoor visitation has been allowed since late July, but with the weather changing, that may not be able to continue.

“We’re working really hard to be able to bolster those connections really soon,” McElroy said.

She also said the state is working on a dashboard that will offer information about nursing home visitation to consumers.

“What type of visitation, when it’s available, and if things have fluctuated based on the spread in that community,” McElroy said.

She urged those with concerns to reach out to the long term care ombudsman at the Ohio Department of Aging.

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