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DeWine Says Broadening Vaccination Can Help Curb Uptick In COVID-19 Variants

Gov. Mike DeWine speaks in his daily press briefing on April 30. Five days later he announced budget cuts of $775 million.
Office of Gov. Mike DeWine
Gov. Mike DeWine speaks in his daily press briefing on April 30. Five days later he announced budget cuts of $775 million.

Ohio is expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine Friday to include people 40-years-old and up and additional qualifying health conditions.

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) says widespread vaccination is key to stopping the spread of the coronavirus and its new strains.

DeWine says the state is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases involving the new variants of the virus. But he says they hope to outpace that uptick by ramping up vaccinations. 

"We know that this is a race and that the virus is still very much out here," says DeWine. 

The governor says he will lift all health orders when the average two-week case number reaches 50 per 100,000 people. 

This week that number is at 143.8 cases per 100,000 people. 

Everyone 16-years-old and up will be eligible for the vaccine starting March 29. 

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.