Friday, 13 March 2020 04:40

ODH: 100,000 Ohioans Possibly Infected with Coronavirus Featured

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The Ohio Department of Health is confirming FIVE COVID-19 cases in the state as of Thursday afternoon's update. 

With that, Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the ODH, says they believe that about one percent of the state's population, or roughly 100-thousand people are infected with coronavirus.

"We know now, just the fact of community spread says that at least 1%, at the very least 1% of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today," said Dr. Acton Thursday. There are roughly 11.7 million people in the state.

One of those confirmed cases is a Canton man in his mid-50s who reportedly had no contact with anyone known to have the virus, nor did he recently travel. He is being referred to as the first "community-spread" COVID-19 patient. 

There are cuurently more than 50 patients under investigation for possible COVID-19. 

The Cleveland Clinic says they are increasing their COVID-19 testing capacity from 500 to 1,000 per day by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Governor DeWine is banning the gathering of groups of more than 100 people and ordering all K through 12 students on mandatory three-week break from school starting Monday.

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