Keep up with regular news updates regarding Columbus and Ohio’s response to COVID-19 here.
The Numbers
As of Wednesday, April 15, there are now 777 COVID-19 cases in Columbus and Worthington; 1,102 cases and 19 deaths in Franklin County; and 7,791 cases and 361 deaths in Ohio.
Other updates are for unemployment compensation for 1099 workers, additional nonprofit funding from the United Way and additional sterilization services from Battelle.
Self-Employment
Following the announcement that self-employed workers would not be able to process unemployment claims until May 15, there will soon be ways for these individuals to begin this process.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) plans to launch an online tool to allow 1099 workers to “get in line early” to speed up the application process. This way, self-employed workers will already have their paperwork in line for review when the system to process their claims launches.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that by the end of next week, ODJFS will be able to begin processing the additional $600-a-week payments authorized by the federal CARES Act.
Other announcements from ODJFS include the launch of a new virtual call center and the addition of nearly 400 staff members within the next few weeks, in order to address the high volume of unemployment claims.
More Updates
United Way Fund — 23 nonprofit partners on the front lines assisting families and individuals impacted by the crisis will receive a total of $399,700 from the United Way of Central Ohio COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This includes Local Matters, the Salvation Army in Central Ohio, Huckleberry House, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services and more.
Donate to the fund here.
Battelle — Battelle will extend its sterilization services for N-95 masks to law enforcement agencies and EMS providers beginning on Friday, April 17.
Columbus Metropolitan Library — The Columbus Metropolitan Library has reopened phone lines to serve customers during their extended closure. Customers can call 614-645-2275 for information or to ask questions. The libraries’ COVID-19 resource page is also a good source for information regarding volunteer opportunities, family activities, ebooks and more.
First Responder Safety — A new order has been issued that requires local health departments to provide dispatch agencies the names and addresses of COVID-19-positive individuals, so that first responders can know in advance if they will be interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Dispatch agencies are required to keep names and addresses confidential.
For more information on COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.