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Is Ohio ready for coronavirus? Health officials discuss state's plan

This health summit comes as the coronavirus continues spreading across the United States.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Is Ohio ready for the coronavirus?

A health summit in Columbus brought dozens of health officials together Thursday with Gov. Mike DeWine to discuss the state's plan.

Gov. DeWine said the state is focused on proper training across the board with plans in place for facilities like nursing homes and hospitals.

It's a task that has the Ohio Department of Health working around the clock.

“My team has not rested," Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said. "We have not had a weekend off. We were working ‘til midnight last night.”

A variety of health officials then spoke about the processes they've been following as the coronavirus situation evolves each day -- including their responses to possible cases.

We streamed the summit live, which you can watch in full below:

Ohio has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus to date.

“We are telling all Ohioans go about your business," Gov. DeWine said. "Live your lives. Do what you need to do. Do not in any way panic.”

Gov. DeWine listed several steps his administration is taking at veterans homes, hospitals and other state-run properties. The highlights include:

VETERANS HOMES

  • Providing additional refresher training on infection control.
  • Daily training on best practices for infection control to all residents.
  • Updating residents and employees with new information at least three times per week.
  • Identified facilities within the homes to provide additional and separate care for residents who may be showing symptoms.
  • Preparing to screen all visitors to the homes to prevent outside infection.

STATE HOSPITALS

  • Using emerging information from the CDC to educate staff and patients on preventing and monitoring the virus.
  • Incorporating recommendations from the CDC into practice for infection control.
  • Increase prevention and screening of patients being admitted.

STATE PROPERTIES

  • Hand sanitizers installed in elevators / lobbies of all Department Administrative Services-managed facilities.
  • Signage installed / updated in restrooms regarding the importance of hand washing.

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