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Coronavirus
As a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) swept through the world in 2020, preparedness plans, masking policies and more public policy changed just as quickly. WVXU has covered the pandemic's impact on the Tri-State from the very beginning, when on March 3, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine barred spectators from attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over concerns about the virus, even though Ohio had yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19.

Ohio To Start Tracking Ventilators

amy acton
Tony Dejak
/
AP
Director of Ohio Department of Health Dr. Amy Acton and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

The state will now start tracking ventilators through a new database. It's part of the ongoing effort to build up capacity for the projected peak of coronavirus in Ohio.

Gov. Mike DeWine wants medical facilities around the state to report how many ventilators they have and where they're located, to prepare for a coming surge. And Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, is asking Ohioans to be even more thoughtful about essential trips to places like the grocery store or pharmacy. 

"You can do it, we need you to be able to do that. But double up," she said. "Think about your being out there strategically. Because it's very, very important right now that we minimize our exposure to others."

DeWine says they expect to release more details on the capacity build up plans soon.

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.