Keep up with regular news updates regarding Columbus and Ohio’s response to COVID-19 here.
The Numbers
COVID-19 cases — As of Friday, May 1, 2,033 cases of COVID-19 and 53 deaths have been reported or are probable in Columbus and Worthington. Countywide, 2,680 confirmed and probable cases and 77 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19 have been reported.
Statewide, 18,743 cases and 1,002 deaths are confirmed or probable.
Unemployment — In the six weeks between the week of March 21 and April 25, Ohio has received over one million initial unemployment claims.
Evictions — In the weeks since Franklin County Municipal Court announced all scheduled court hearings will be continued to a later date and statewide unemployment numbers began to spike, 746 evictions have been filed with FCMC.
299 evictions were filed in April, while 447 evictions were filed in the final weeks of March.
In Columbus specifically, 539 evictions have been filed in the last seven weeks.
Advocates have expressed worry that, as the FCMC reopens on June 1 and no restrictions or moratoriums have been announced, many people will be put out this summer with no where else to go.
More Updates
Stay at Home Extended — As the state’s Stay at Home order expires Friday night at 11:59 p.m., the new “Stay Safe Ohio” order will go into effect. See what’s new about the order here.
Limited Library Service — The Columbus Metropolitan Library is planning to reopen a few locations with limited services this month. Specifics on locations and services are to be announced.
Determination on what services will be provided will likely be up to a partnership the library has with Battelle to test how the coronavirus affects library materials.
CPH Report — Columbus Public Health has released the latest report on COVID-19 cases in Columbus and Franklin County, including data on age, race, sex, hospitalizations and ZIP codes.
Restaurants and hair salons — A plan and reopening date could be announced for restaurants, bars and personal care businesses as early as next week, according to Governor Mike DeWine. Advisory groups for these industries, as well as gyms, recreation, professional sports, libraries and day cares, have been or will soon be formed, in order to decide best practices for reopening these businesses.
Experimental Treatment at OSU — Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are reportedly the first in Ohio to test an experimental therapy that reduces excess inflammation in COVID-19 patients, which has been linked to severe respiratory distress, heart inflammation, organ failure and death.
The therapy is given to COVID-19 patients on a ventilator with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Just seven patients have received the treatment so far.
“We are seeing improved oxygen levels and getting these patients off the ventilator,” said Dr. Omar Al-Qudsi, assistant professor of anesthesiology OSU College of Medicine and intensivist at Wexner Medical Center. “There’s minimal risk to the patient and treatment can be repeated as necessary.”
For more information on COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.