Ohioans are not out of the woods yet when it comes to the economic challenges accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, initial claims for unemployment compensation have risen for the third week in a row.

For the week ending Oct. 10, 20,090 Ohioans filed jobless claims, a 15 percent increase since September, according to the Department of Job and Family Services. Depending on who you ask, there is a chance a second wave of the virus this winter may make the situation even worse.

In fact, virus cases are increasing right now in the Buckeye State, with the Department of Health reporting more than 25,000 active cases of the disease. Of that total, 16,399 people had required hospitalization. As of Friday, the total death toll in Ohio stood at 5,054.

“Frankly, these numbers are very alarming,” DeWine told the Associated Press last week.

But DeWine says he has a plan that could help — a little. A proposed state aid plan would at least give a little breathing room to those struggling to pay their rent, and for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Given the bickering and constant delays accompanying a reported relief plan bouncing around Washington, D.C., it is tempting to have little faith that an aid plan will come to fruition in Ohio. But DeWine and other state officials have had the interests of Ohioans in mind far more than their counterparts at the federal level, from the beginning of this challenge.

Surely he and Ohio lawmakers will find a way to quickly get Ohio residents at least some of the help they need — now.