Ohio OKs 2,000 child care sites, revises medical pot rules
Ohio National Guard Specialist Scott Eubanks, right, and Corp. Tommie Davis move a skid of peaches to prepare for repackaging emergency food boxes for food distribution at the Cleveland Food Bank, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Members of The Ohio National Guard assist in repackaging emergency food boxes for food distribution at the Cleveland Food Bank, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Cleveland. State parks have shuttered cabins, golf courses and marinas as Ohio enters its first full day of a statewide “stay at home” order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Grocery stores, gas stations and other essential businesses remain open. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Members of The Ohio National Guard assist in repackaging emergency food boxes for food distribution at the Cleveland Food Bank, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Cleveland. State parks have shuttered cabins, golf courses and marinas as Ohio enters its first full day of a statewide “stay at home” order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Grocery stores, gas stations and other essential businesses remain open. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton, left, and Gov. Mike DeWine walk into a coronavirus news conference Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine's administration is enacting a stay-at-home order as the number of cases in the state spiked. DeWine said the stay-at-home order will start to be enforced Tuesday by local health departments and local law enforcement. (Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
Off-campus apartments, such as those in this view looking east on E. 13th Ave., have had fewer social activities due to the coronavirus in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 22, 2020. Due to coronavirus, all in-person, face-to-face teaching has been suspended at the Ohio State University. (Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
One of the busiest freeway interchanges in Ohio, Interstates 70, 71, and Ohio Rt. 315 appear almost empty Monday morning, March 23, 2020 as business and social lives shut down due to COVID-19. The state issued a stay-at-home order to take effect at 11:59 pm March 23. (Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
A WOW internet service billboard across from Ohio State University serves as a reminder of things to come as thousands of students will begin online classes on Monday in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, March 22, 2020. Due to coronavirus, all in-person, face-to-face teaching has been suspended at the Ohio State University. Photographed March 22, 2020. (Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — About 2,000 child care centers have been approved so far under a special “pandemic” license, while lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation to address the widespread impact of the coronavirus. A look at virus-related developments in Ohio on Wednesday:
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CASES
Ohio has more than 560 cases and eight deaths across 49 counties. A handful of long-term care centers are being called hotspots for cases, accounting for 25 of the 62 intensive-care patients in Ohio.
The state is limiting testing to those who are hospitalized and to health care workers. The Ohio Department of Health said people with suspected symptoms should call a medical provider first, but seek immediate help if symptoms are serious, such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
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STATE ACTION
Mandatory state testing for schools would be ditched this year and the deadline for filing state income taxes would be extended until July 15 under wide-ranging legislation that could be approved Wednesday by lawmakers to address the impact of the coronavirus.
Ohio's two U.S. attorneys and Attorney General Dave Yost promised swift action including criminal charges against doctors found to have improperly prescribing the drugs chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 for patients who don't have a positive test.
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ECONOMY
As questions continue about what jobs are considered essential, the state said several trades are on that list, including building and construction tradespeople, plumbers, electricians, and exterminators, among several others.
Ohio medical marijuana patients and their caregivers can telephone orders to dispensaries during the outbreak under revised Board of Pharmacy rules. Orders must be placed during dispensaries’ normal hours, and patients must go there to pick up products.
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THE NEW NORMAL
About 2,000 child care centers have been approved to date under a special license to care for the children of first responders, health care workers, children service workers, and other workers deemed essential. All others must close Thursday.
In Dayton, plans are on hold to rebuild homes damaged in last year's Memorial Day weekend tornado outbreak as volunteer groups are canceling planned trips to the area.
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Associated Press writer Mark Gillispie in Cleveland contributed to this report.