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04/22/2020

COVID-19 Update: 584 Deaths and 13,609 Confirmed Cases

April 22, 2020

Today, Governor Mike DeWine held his daily press briefings. It was reported that Ohio has 13,609 confirmed cases, 584 deaths and 2,874 hospitalizations. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is also reporting 584 probable cases and 26 additional deaths under an expanded case definition of COVID-19 from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Multiple business owners have told the legislative House 2020 Economic Recovery Task Force that restrictions on business operations should be lifted as soon as possible, Gongwer News Service reported. A phased reopening will limit employees' willingness to return if their wages won't match unemployment, business owners say.

University Hospitals in Cleveland announced it's reducing hours and pay by 20 percent for about 4,100 caregivers not directly involved in patient care because of the financial impact of the pandemic as elective surgeries are prohibited. The hospital system said that executives, directors, nonclinical managers, department chairs and division chiefs will have their pay reduced while continuing to work regular schedules.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) announced the launch of a new mental health COVID CareLine for Ohioans. Trained staff will be available to provide emotional assistance to anyone struggling with mental health concerns due to the ongoing stress of the pandemic. The number to call is (800) 720-9616. All calls will be confidential.

Ohio has experienced a 172 percent increase in the number of SNAP, or food stamp, applications filed by Ohioans this year compared to last year, said Kimberly Hall, director of the Department of Job and Family Services. That's a jump from 10,784 during the second week of April 2019 compared to 29,334 this year.

Ohio Humanities announced it's providing $750,000 in emergency federal relief grants to historical societies, museums, and other cultural organizations affected by the pandemic.

This article first appeared on WBNS-10TV.

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