• Announces increases in COVID19 patients hospitalization

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Dr. Stephanie McCloud as new Director of the Department of Health, along four others to strengthen the existing health department’s team to fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Former Ohio Director of Health, Dr Amy Acton resigned her appointment in June due to pressure and threats.

“Fighting a pandemic demands a multi-faceted response — one that requires us to focus on our short-term needs, but not lose sight of our long-term goals,” said Governor Mike DeWine.

Dr. Stephanie McCloud who was “at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, BWC where she has done a phenomenal job. She has the experience necessary to lead ODH as it carries out its important health functions while also battling the pandemic.”

Other new appointments by Governor DeWine include Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, who has been serving for more than a decade as a Senior Vice President and as the Chief Medical Officer at Ohio Health, and now Chief Medical Officer at Ohio Department of Health.

Lance Himes, who has been serving as interim Ohio Department of Health Director, will be the new ODH Senior Deputy. He will lead the coordination of work to get a vaccine out to our citizens and will continue to work directly with Ohio’s local health commissioners.

Kathleen Madden, who has been serving as Assistant Director at Ohio Office of Budget and Management, will become the Ohio Department of Health Chief of Staff and will play a key role in keeping programs and operations moving and on track.

“Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss will continue heading up our efforts to address the increasing mental health needs of our citizens during this pandemic.  This work is critical,” said Governor DeWine.

On the covid19 update, Governor DeWine said, “our updated Advisory System Map shows that the virus continues to spread throughout all regions of Ohio. We now have 56 Red Alert Level 3 counties—the highest number of counties that are red since we started the alert system.”

“In addition to our continued record-breaking cases, Ohio is also seeing: More doctor/ER visits resulting in COVID19 diagnoses than ever; Record numbers of Ohioans with COVID in hospitals and ICUs.”

“We continue to see increases in COVID19 patients hospitalized, in the ICU, and on ventilators. There are 2,075 current patients today which is a 55% increase in hospitalized patients compared to two weeks ago. There are 541 people in ICU. The previous high was 533 in April.”

According to him, “this is a historical look at COVID19 hospitalizations since March. Today, admissions are going up at a very, very high rate. 86% of Ohioans are now living in a Red Alert Level 3 county. There have been enough cases during the past two weeks that the risk of catching this virus in all 88 counties is very real and very concerning.”