(24/7 News & iHeart News) -- Barber shops and nail salons are among the latest businesses temporarily closed in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine also added tattoo parlors and nail salons to the list of places forced to shut down amid the coronavirus crisis. Restaurants and bars were already ordered to stop all service except for pick-up and delivery.
Nearly all of the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices are now closed. One-hundred-81 locations were shuttered today, with five that issue and renew commercial licenses renaming open. Governor DeWine is asking for leniency from local police departments when it comes to giving tickets for expired licenses.
As of today, 88 people across Ohio have tested positive for COVID-19. The patients range in age from two-to-91-years old, with 26 of them requiring hospitalization. The cases are spread across 19 counties, with the largest number centered in Cuyahoga County.
Governor Mike DeWine is urging Ohioans not to "fixate" on testing. During his daily coronavirus update, DeWine said the number of tests in the state is limited, and reserved for the sickest people. Those who suspect they have a mild form of the virus are asked to just stay home, but those who develop severe respiratory problems should call their doctors.
A Greenfield area youth is awaiting test results as to whether they have contracted COVID-19. In a Wednesday press release, Branden Jackman, Public Information Officer Highland County Emergency Operations Center stated that "There has been a delay in the completion of the testing for the pending Coronavirus case in Greenfield. The circumstances were out of everyone’s control. The shear amount of tests that are flooding into the various labs, is precluding quick test results. The results are now expected by the end of the week. We want to encourage everyone to support the various agencies on the front lines of this pandemic and be patient with this process."
Meetings were held Wednesday morning with area churches in Highland County as well as elected officials to maintain our transparency and push information into the public space as quick as possible while maintaining protected health information.
It was also reported earlier this week that Highland County Sheriff’s office was suspending background checks for individuals seeking to have a concealed carry permit. Sheriff Barrera issued a change to this that states, "concealed carry background checks will be handled in the same manner as employment checks." They are by appointment only, call (937) 393-1421 to schedule either an employment or concealed carry back ground check.
The Highland county Chamber of Commerce has created an additional Facebook group called "Highland Proud" that is showcasing other businesses in Highland County that are finding new ways to get things done. Similarly in Fayette County, their chamber of commerce is working with employers to find work for workers being laid-off due to economic downtown caused by the National Emergency.
Health officials remind all of us that it’s important to cover your cough, wash your hands, maintain your personal space with social distancing, and look out for each other. If you think you may have developed symptoms of the Coronavirus, don’t immediately proceed to the emergency room or call 911, unless you can’t manage your symptoms by yourself. If you feel you can’t manage, call ahead to any health care provider to inform them of your symptoms and let them know you’re coming.
Officials urge everyone to help "flatten the curve", concerning the rise of the amount of people contracting the illness.
For more information on COVID-19, call 1-833- 4 ASK ODH.