Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has said bars, restaurants and fitness centers will close in a week if the spread of the coronavirus does not decrease

CLEVELAND, Ohio – As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine has threatened to shut down bars, restaurants and fitness centers within a week if newly confirmed cases continue to rise .

In an evening address to Ohioans, DeWine said the current outbreak presents a different challenge than spring, when the main concern was lack of hospital space. On the contrary, health workers continue to be infected with the coronavirus, putting the staff available to help treat patients at risk.

“If the current trend continues and cases continue to increase, we will be forced to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers a week from tomorrow,” DeWine said. “I am very aware of the burden this will place on employees and owners. But, these are places where it is difficult or impossible to maintain wearing a mask, which we now know is the main way to slow this virus down.

DeWine did not give specific figures on what constitutes a slowdown in the spread of the coronavirus.

Cases in Ohio have more than quadrupled in the past month and hospitalizations have more than doubled. Ohio released its second worst day of newly confirmed cases at 5,623 on Wednesday. That was down from Tuesday’s record set of 6,508.

DeWine has remained hesitant to institute new coronavirus mitigation measures, fearing a slowing Ohio’s economic recovery.

But failure to follow state guidelines – wearing masks, practicing social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings – threatens the state’s ability to care for patients, he said.

“If we don’t change this, we won’t be able to provide proper care to all Ohioans who need it for COVID and all Ohioans who need other care. emergency for accidents, strokes and heart attacks, ”DeWine says. “Hospitals will again be forced to postpone important, but less urgent, care.”

DeWine said there had been a “creeping” spread at gatherings like weddings, banquets and funerals. He said he would issue a new health ordinance in the coming days, placing more restrictions on social gatherings.

“Specifically, the open assembly areas can no longer be opened,” DeWine said. “It requires everyone to be seated and masked, unless they are actively consuming food or drink and banning things like dancing and games.”