It has not escaped Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s notice that delay can be deadly in dealing with COVID-19. States and nations where decisive action to fight the disease was not taken expeditiously have suffered terribly.

On Sunday, DeWine issued an order that Buckeye State residents not leave their homes, effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

There are numerous exceptions to the order. Those whose work is considered essential are permitted to leave home. People who need to obtain necessary supplies and services can do so. Some outdoor activities — but not all — are allowed.

Common sense, in other words, rules the edict. It is aimed at keeping Ohioans who may not know they are carrying the virus from spreading it — and at preventing others from contracting the disease.

Violating the governor’s order is a crime — a second-degree misdemeanor. Law enforcement personnel can be used to deal with offenders.

Let us hope that does not become necessary — but if it becomes clear some Ohioans are putting others at risk by outright refusal to comply, there should be no hesitation in making arrests and levying fines.

Statewide, 564 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon. That’s up from 351 active cases on Sunday.

Statewide, 145 people were hospitalized Tuesday. The number was 104 Monday.

Here in our area, there are 32 confirmed cases between Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

In Mahoning, 28 COVID-19 cases were confirmed Tuesday in Mahoning County (compared to 23 a day earlier). In Trumbull County, there were four cases Tuesday, up by one since Monday.

We hope to keep these numbers from growing further, and DeWine’s order will help.