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03/11/2020
DeWine Convenes Long-term Care Providers
In a follow-up to an in-person meeting the Governor’s office convened last Friday with long-term care providers, Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Amy Acton held a press conference on Tuesday, March 10, where Governor DeWine outlined recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Ohio, including barring spectators from indoor sporting and spectator events, encouraging faith leaders to limit gatherings, and requesting higher education be moved to online platforms, to the extent possible.
LeadingAge Ohio leadership joined a conference call with the Governor and the Director, where long-term care providers were encouraged to limit visitation within their facilities and cancel congregate events like Easter egg hunts, instead opting for socialization via videoconferencing technology (Skype, FaceTime, etc). Additionally, Director Acton announced a COVID-19 hotline (1-833-4-ASK-ODH) and website (www.coronavirus.ohio.gov).
Dr. Acton shared that ODH would be hosting additional conference calls in the future to communicate updates to a wider group of long-term care providers. Dr. Acton expects the situation to change considerably over the next week and stressed the importance of providers and state agencies continuing to work together in unity during this time.