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"Even the leader of our great country can get the virus," Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday during his coronavirus update.
Though DeWine stopped short of criticizing President Donald Trump for seemingly discouraging mask wearing, the governor used his biweekly briefing to encourage Ohioans to learn from Trump's diagnosis and to wear masks, practice social distancing, wash their hands and avoid large crowds.
"Each of us can demonstrate our love and respect for our fellow Ohioans by wearing a mask, avoiding large gatherings, keeping at least 6 feet of distance from others and frequently washing our hands. This is in our control," DeWine said.
DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted chair and co-chair the president's Ohio election campaign.
People should learn from Trump's illness and stay focused on the recommendations from health experts, including contact tracing, DeWine said.
"This virus is the enemy of our freedom," DeWine said, but there are measures that can be taken to reduce risk and reduce spread. Follow-through on the health guidelines will make it easier for the state's economy to get back to normal, for kids to continue going to school, and for families to visit one another in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and other communal living places.
The state is trending in the wrong direction right now, DeWine said.
"This is trending upward," DeWine said.
The 21-day average is trending above 1,000 new cases per day, though during September the case average was trending under 1,000, DeWine said.
"We are concerned about that," DeWine said.
Most of the counties causing concern are rural, and most are in the northwest part of the state.
Hospitalizations are trending higher since the peak in mid-July, too, DeWine said.
The average age of hospitalized patients also has gone up in recent weeks, according to DeWine. Ohioans 60 and older now account for approximately 70 percent of COVID-19 hospital admissions, compared to 50 percent of hospitalizations in July.
"As we said earlier in August and September, spread among the young and healthy will eventually impact those who are older and more vulnerable, which is why it is so very important that younger Ohioans do all they can to prevent spread," DeWine said.
On Tuesday, the state reported 1,335 new cases, increasing the total to 161,299. There were 16 new deaths, bringing the total to 4,947. Statewide, 15,972 have been hospitalized, 138,807 are presumed recovered.
One of the new deaths reported Tuesday was in Columbiana County, bringing the death total there to 83, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The county saw two new cases Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,993. In the county, 223 have been hospitalized and 1,836 are presumed recovered. The county is at the orange level.
In Mahoning County, 22 new cases were reported Tuesday, totalling 3,271. There have been 282 deaths, 513 hospitalizations and 2,698 are presumed recovered.
In Trumbull County, seven new cases brings the total to 2,015. In the county, 133 died, 351 have been hospitalized and 1,726 are presumed recovered.
rfox@tribtoday.com