03/29/2020

Ohio's Latest COVID-19 Update: 29 Deaths, 1,653 confirmed cases

Additionally, there are 139 ICU admissions and 403 hospitalizations

Today, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted held their latest COVID-19 press conference. In Ohio there are 1,653 confirmed cases, 139 ICU admissions, 403 hospitalizations and 29 deaths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Columbus-based Battelle to sterilize only 10,000 surgical masks in Ohio each day, despite their ability to sterilize up to 160,000 mask per day in Ohio alone. In addition to speaking with President Donald Trump, DeWine and Husted are having ongoing conversations with the FDA and expect for this issue to be resolved today. 

"The FDA's decision to severely limit the use of this life-saving technology is nothing short of reckless," DeWine said. "Battelle's innovative technology has the capability to protect healthcare professionals and first responders in Ohio and across the country, but in this time of crisis, the FDA has decided not to support those who are risking their lives to save others."

"This is a matter of life and death," DeWine added. "I am not only disappointed by this development, but I'm also stunned that the FDA would decline to do all it can to protect this country's frontline workers in this serious time of need."