A look back at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Ohio has come a long way since the state's first COVID-19 cases were reported in March 2020.
The pandemic has changed nearly every Ohioans' way of life, forcing many to stay indoors to avoid catching the potentially deadly disease.Over 90,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 statewide. A daily record was recorded Thursday after over 1,700 new cases were reported by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
The pandemic has come a long way since a State of Emergency was declared by Gov. Mike DeWine when three people tested positive on March 9, 2020.
“What happened today, we knew was coming,” DeWine said on March 9, as he revealed that all three of the positive cases were from Cuyahoga County. The first confirmed cases were not from community spread, but came after a couple went on a Nile River cruiser and a man traveled to Washington D.C.
This is certainly no ordinary time...
"This is certainly no ordinary time, it’s important to take aggressive action to protect Ohioans," said DeWine at the time.
While the vast majority of Ohioans were not personally impacted by the virus in early March, the situation changed quickly as the governor ordered all bars and restaurants to close dining rooms on March 15, 2020. The decision came after coronavirus cases rose to 37 statewide.
"If we don't take these actions now, it'll be too late. This is a matter of life and death. We have to do this to save lives," DeWine said. The move was devastating for many Ohioans as it forced many workers to seek unemployment benefits.
If we don't take these actions now, it'll be too late.
On March 16, 2020, the state closed gyms, fitness and recreation centers, bowling alleys, indoor water parks, movie theaters, and trampoline parks. On March 17, 2020, hospitals were barred from performing elective procedures to focus staff on the pandemic and help keep patients safe. On March 18, 2020, DeWine ordered barbershops, beauty salons, tattoo parlors, and hair and nail salons to close.
That week, nearly 190,000 Ohioans filed jobless claims. At the time, the high number of claims was second only to the 1981 recession.
"Each claim is important to us, and we recognize the hardship that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on many Ohio families," said the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in a statement. "We have been working around the clock."
Unemployment data shared on July 30, 2020, shows the number of initial jobless claims filed in Ohio over the 19 weeks since the start of the pandemic, over 1.55 million, is more than the combined total of those filed during the last three years combined.
In addition to job losses and shutdown orders, Ohio leaders decided that week to push back the primary election. It took place on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, over a month after originally planned. Many Ohioans who participated in the election voted by mail as only a few in-person voting options were available.
On March 20, 2020, the first coronavirus death was confirmed in Ohio as cases rose to 169.
“We have now entered a new phase of our battle against the coronavirus," DeWine said. "This phase is not unexpected but it is tragic nonetheless. For a while, it’s going to seem like we are in fact living in the ‘Valley of Death’. It’ll seem like we’re living in the valley of that shadow but we will get through this.”
For a while, it’s going to seem like we are in fact living in the ‘Valley of Death’. It’ll seem like we’re living in the valley of that shadow but we will get through this.
Following the first three deaths, DeWine along with ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton announced a stay-at-home order on March 22, 2020, only allowing workers deemed "essential" to continue working outside of their homes.
The order went into effect 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2020 and remained in effect until May 1, 2020. It was then replaced by the "Stay Safe Ohio" order.
Under the new order, many Ohio businesses were able to reopen, but several closed for good as they were not able to recover from the financial burden from the forced shutdown.
As health experts say a vaccine may not be available until 2021, the best chance for Ohioans to stop the spread is to stay home when possible, and wear a mask when in public. A statewide mask order went into effect on July 22, 2020.
It can be hard to fathom how Ohio went from only a few cases in early March to several thousand in August. Here is a look at how the virus progressed in Ohio by the numbers.
March 20, 2020 - The first coronavirus death was reported in Ohio.
April 1, 2020 - Coronavirus cases rise to 2,547 with 679 hospitalizations, and 65 deaths.
April 15, 2020 - Coronavirus cases reported in every Ohio county, except Vinton County.
April 28, 2020 - First coronavirus cases reported in Vinton County, meaning the virus is spreading in every Ohio county. Cases have more than doubled since spread to all Ohio counties.
May 1, 2020 - Coronavirus deaths rise over 1,000 deaths statewide.
May 14, 2020 - Coronavirus deaths rise over 1,500 statewide.
May 26, 2020 - Coronavirus deaths rise over 2,000 in Ohio. Total COVID-19 cases rose over 33,000.
June 1, 2020 - Hospitalizations jump over 6,000 statewide as total cases near 36,000 and deaths rise over 2,200.
July 2, 2020 - State releases first "presumed recovered" numbers. Over 39,000 have reportedly recovered from the virus statewide. Deaths rise over 2,900 and hospitalizations rise over 8,000. Over 55,000 coronavirus cases reported across Ohio.
July 10, 2020 - Coronavirus deaths rise over 3,000 statewide. DeWine releases coronavirus alert map to show severity of spread in each county. The counties with Ohio's largest cities, Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton, were all at a "Level 3," and have remained there.
July 30, 2020 - More Ohio counties enter "orange" and "red" levels. Ohio sees the largest daily spread since the start of the pandemic.
ABC 6/FOX 28 will continue to follow the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in Ohio. The latest coronavirus news can always been found at abc6onyourside.com/news/coronavirus.