Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Check out our 2024 voter guide for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana >>

DeWine Says He's Worried There Will Soon Be An Increase In Deaths From COVID-19

Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health

State health leaders say COVID-19 infections are increasing in recent weeks when compared with the same time last month. And Gov. Mike DeWine warns that might translate into more deaths from the virus in the future. 

DeWine says COVID-19 cases are on the rise, with over a thousand confirmed cases every day for more than a week. But Ohio recorded 12 confirmed deaths Tuesday, with numbers in the single digits the three days before that. But DeWine says he’s worried about the death rates.

“They’re the lagging, lagging indicator so when you see these numbers as high as they are today, we may see those results in two, three, four weeks," DeWine says.

Hospitalization numbers are also gradually increasing. DeWine says he’s worried that people are letting their guards down by congregating with others and not wearing masks consistently. And he says that’s worrisome as the weather is getting colder and people will be spending more time inside.  

Copyright 2020 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.