Complete Story
06/17/2020
Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky COVID-19 Updates
Ohio State Press Conference Summary: 6/10 - 6/16
Governor DeWine announced on June 11 that Ohio is expanding COVID-19 testing and encouraged those who want a COVID-19 test, including those who are low-risk or asymptomatic, to talk with their health care provider or contact a testing location to arrange a test. Testing locations in Ohio can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Lt. Governor Husted announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will receive an $8.5 million federal Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant to help reemploy individuals who lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help employers rebuild their workforces. ODJFS will work with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation to facilitate the grant program through local OhioMeansJobs centers and will distribute the funding to Ohio’s local workforce areas. ODJFS will also provide outreach to employers and services to individuals who were laid off, either permanently or temporarily, as a result of the pandemic.
Governor DeWine announced on June 16 that Ohio will borrow money to meet its unemployment obligation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state requested $3.1 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Department of Labor. This is not an unprecedented situation. Ohio borrowed more than $3.3 billion during the last recession and joins states such as California and Texas in borrowing money during this crisis.
Ohio saw a slight uptick in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 407 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 397 new cases per day over the previous 7 days.
Michigan State Press Conference Summary: 6/10 - 6/16
This week, Governor Whitmer showed her support for Senate Bill 690, which puts more than $850 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds into action across the state. The bill provides direct support to local governments with the inclusion of $100 million for hazard pay for local first responders who are on the front lines battling COVID-19 and another $200 million for local communities across the state.
Other key investments included in SB 690 include:
- $100 million in small business restart grants to help small business owners and nonprofit organizations across Michigan get back on their feet, prioritizing minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
- $60 million in rental assistance and eviction diversion to help ensure that those in jeopardy of eviction can remain in their place of residence
- $25 million for water utility assistance
- $25 million for devices, wireless hotspots, and connectivity for school children and their families
- $18 million for health and safety grants for schools
- $10 million in MIOSHA grants for protections to keep workers safe on the job
- $14 million for food banks and domestic violence shelters to help ensure our most vulnerable populations are supported
Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-125 this week, which clarifies Workers’ Disability Compensation Act (WDCA) eligibility during the COVID-19 emergency, replacing emergency rules issued by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in March 2020. Under Executive Order 2020-125, a COVID-19 response worker who is confirmed as COVID-19 positive on or after March 18, 2020, either by physician or by test, shall be presumed to have suffered a “personal injury,” as defined by the WDCA. This order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect during the declared states of emergency and disaster.
Governor Whitmer announced that Michigan schools may resume in-person learning in phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan, with strict safety measures in place. The governor also announced that on June 30, she will release an executive order and a robust document called “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on what will be required and recommended for schools. The governor also highlighted the need for support and flexibility from the federal government to help ensure resources for students and educators. The Return to School Advisory Council, that Whitmer put into place in May, will continue to identify the critical issues that must be addressed, provide valuable input to inform the process of returning to school, and to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to school.
Cases of COVID-19 in Michigan have continued trending down. This week has shown an average of 79 new cases per day, while last week, June 3-9, averaged 149 new cases per day.
Kentucky State Press Conference Summary: 6/10 - 6/16
Governor Beshear announced that the state’s ongoing partnership with Kroger will bring expanded COVID-19 drive-through testing next week in several locations across the commonwealth. On Tuesday, June 16, the Kentucky administration offered updated guidance covering public pools and gatherings of up to 50 people.
Beginning Wednesday, June 10, churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship were able to begin hosting congregants at 50% of their pre-pandemic capacities.
Governor Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner for the Department for Public Health, stressed the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect Kentucky from experiencing the surges and spikes that are being seen in other states.The governor also noted that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the renowned infectious disease expert on the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. Surgeon General, both say wearing a mask is the best way to halt the spread of the virus. The renewed emphasis on wearing masks comes as several states are starting to see troubling growth in the number of coronavirus cases.
Mark Carter, leader of the state's contact tracing efforts, also highlighted the importance of tracing in keeping the virus under control in the commonwealth. If you’re contacted by one of the contact tracers, make sure you talk to them. Carter also warned about scams connected to the tracing efforts. "This is a private process, no one will ever ask for bank account information or credit cards. You may be asked about your address and who lives with you, but that’s just to identify your contacts. The fraudulent stuff with social security numbers and bank accounts, call the Attorney General.” People can call to report scams to the Attorney General at 888-432-9257. Contact tracers will call people who may have been exposed from 1-844-598-7223 to offer information and resources to keep them and others safe.
Cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky have continued trending down through the week, although there was a slight uptick over the weekend, June 12-13. This week has shown an average of 160 new cases per day, while last week, June 3-9, averaged 217 new cases per day.
