Oh Department

1 . of Health

Mike DeWine, Governor Amy Acton, M.D., Director
Jon Husted, Lt. Governor

URGENT HEALTH ADVISORY

OHIOANS PROTECTING OHIOANS

WHEREAS, since the original Stay at Home and Stay Safe Ohio Department of Health orders,
the circumstances in Ohio have evolved. The Department of Health orders have adapted to these rapidly
changing circumstances, and current orders must re?ect the status of where we are today; and

WHEREAS, Ohioans, through social distancing, have risen to the challenge, have avoided
overwhelming our hospitals, and have ?attened the curve; and

WHEREAS, because of this social distancing, Ohio?s R-Naught Number (which represents how
many pe0ple an average person with a virus infects) is now 1 to 1. Early in the ?ght against this pandemic,
this number was 1 to 2; and

WHEREAS, many of our fellow Ohioans representing various sectors have created best practices
for businesses as they reopen. These best practices are now orders that specify the mandatory and
recommended framework for business operations that protect employees and customers; and

WHEREAS, the Stay at Home Order always had exceptions, including such things as going to
the grocery store or pharmacy; checking on elderly relatives; attending funerals, weddings, and church
services; and participating in outdoor activities, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, each business sector that Ohio has reopened has created further exceptions to the
original order, which have, in turn, created further opportunities to leave home; and

WHEREAS, on April 30, 2020, Ohio changed the name of the Stay at Home Order to the Stay
Safe Ohio Order to signal that as Ohio?s economy reOpens, Ohioans must make individual decisions to
stay safe; and

WHEREAS, in this new phase in our battle against the virus, and it is incumbent upon Ohioans
to protect Ohioans; and

WHEREAS, accompanying our freedom to guide our own actions is an equal responsibility to
each other to slow the spread of this deadly virus, prevent a new spike of cases upon the reopening of the
economy, and save the lives of our neighbors and loved ones; and

WHEREAS, the coronavirus is still with us, it is still dangerous and deadly, and at no other time
in our lives will our individual actions play a greater role in saving the lives of others, even complete
strangers; and

WHEREAS, the coronavirus is becoming one of the leading causes of death in Ohio --
outstripping motor vehicle deaths in 2018 and soon 2018 deaths by suicide; and

WHEREAS, preliminary research indicates that as of May 19, 2020, more than 90,000 peOple in
the U.S., including 1,657 Ohioans representing all 88 counties, have died with 9; and

WHEREAS, the majority of hospital admissions and deaths are among adults ages 60 and older,
but nearly half of reported COVID-19 cases in Ohio are among adults ages 30-59; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the common of the virus is believed to cause
other effects such as the risk of stroke. is also suSpected to be impacting the pediatric
population, including children without underlying chronic disease, with atypical and at times devastating
effects; and

WHEREAS, the risk to the health of all Ohioans remains high because no vaccine or cure is
available currently, and the virus will continue to spread as businesses reopen and interactions increase;
and

WHEREAS, although some restrictions can be loosened our individual obligation to each other
matters now more than ever.

NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Amy Acton, MD, MPH, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH),
pursuant to the authority granted to me in R.C. 3701.14 to ?investigate or make inquiry as to the cause of
disease or illness, including contagious, infectious, epidemic, pandemic, or endemic conditions, and take
prompt action to control and suppress it? issue the following ?Ohioans Protecting Ohioans Urgent Health
Advisory? that recommends that Ohioans continue to stay home as much as possible, but maintains
mandates limiting large groups and requiring safe business conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-
19 in the State of Ohio:

1. Elderly people and those who are vulnerable as a result of illness should take additional
precautions. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID- 9, including those who are elderly
and those who are sick, are strongly urged (but not required) to stay in their residence to the extent
possible except as necessary to seek medical care. According to the CDC, those at high-risk for
severe illness from COVID-19 include people who are 65 years or older and people of all ages
with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma;
People who have serious heart conditions;

People who are immune compromised;

People with severe obesity (body mass index of 40 or higher);
People with diabetes;

People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; and

People with liver disease

corms-99?s?

The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are urged to avoid places where they are
likely to be exposed to an increased number of people. When out in public, they should wear a
mask unless not otherwise indicated. They should also practice good hand-washing hygiene.

Page 2 of 3

2. Other Ohioans. All other Ohioans who are not considered high-risk are advised to take
precautions to limit the spread of this disease and rely on their sense of personal responsibility and
accountability to others when leaving home. Because individuals can carry the virus and spread it
prior to or without showing this Urgent Health Advisory recommends (but does not
require) that Ohioans who are not considered high?risk stay at their place of residence when
possible with the intent of lowering the rate of spread of 

Chat Nb WW Mav 20- 2020

Am Act 11, MD, MPH
Director .f Health

 

Page 3 of 3