More than 9,000 people in Ohio have now tested positive for COVID-19.
Governor Mike DeWine announced the latest numbers in Friday's news conference. More than 2,4000 of those confirmed cases required hospitalization.
The death toll in the state stands at 418.
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Governor DeWine says his plan to begin reopening the state on May 1st comes with conditions.
To prevent a spikes in new cases, he says many safety measures need to remain in place, such as social distancing and wearing face masks. He says businesses will slowly reopen as long as they operate with safeguards in place.
More details of the plan should be announced next week.
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Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton says Ohio is starting to see the curve flatten as the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the state remain steady.
However, she says it's important to be "realistic" in starting to reopen Ohio's economy. Acton says Ohioans need to prepare for a "new normal" after the pandemic has passed.
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Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder says Ohio will NOT be raising income or state taxes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Householder says the previous budget plan had some mechanisms in place to help with costs back when times were good, but balancing the budget post-pandemic is going to be challenging.
He says there is enough in the rainy day fund to cover the deficit until the end of June, but where Ohio goes from there will likely mean cuts.