Keep up with regular news updates regarding Columbus and Ohio’s response to COVID-19 here.
The Numbers
COVID-19 cases — In Columbus, 95 cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, May 20. As of Thursday, 90,281 total cases and 1,079 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in Columbus and Worthington.
In Franklin County at large, 125 cases were reported on Wednesday.
Countywide, 135,386 total cases and 1,618 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported by Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health.
In Ohio, 1,208 cases were reported on Thursday.
Statewide, 1,094,742 total cases and 19,628 deaths have been confirmed or are probable since the start of the pandemic, as reported by the Ohio Department of Health. 1,051,546 Ohioans have been presumed recovered.
According to the Ohio Vaccination Dashboard, 5,079,175 Ohioans (43.45% of the total population) have been administered at least one dose of the vaccine. 601,942 Franklin County residents (45.99% of the county population) have received at least one valid dose.
Those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine can book an appointment here or call 1-833-427-5634 for help with scheduling.
More Updates
Ohio Vax-a-Million Site Launched — On Tuesday, the state of Ohio launched a site for Ohioans to register for the Vax-a-Million drawings. Ohioans can enter the lottery pool by visiting ohiovaxamillion.com or by calling the Ohio Department of Health Call Center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Only one entry is required to be eligible each week.
Update information from last week’s announcement of the drawings includes the change to an opt-in system, so state officials can remove all duplicate entries and verify vaccination records for all winners, and eligibility requirements. Ohioans must not be incarcerated for a felony conviction; be an employee of the Ohio Department, the governor, or the state lottery; or be both a blood relative or spouse and a household member of an employee of ODH, the governor or the lottery.
The first winners will be announced at 7:29 p.m. on May 26, and the four Wednesdays thereafter.
In his Monday, May 17 press briefing, Gov. DeWine said his office was seeing an increased demand for the vaccine since the drawings were announced.
Health Order Updated to Conform CDC Guidance — Ohio’s remaining health order has been updated to the new Centers for Disease Control guidance.
Ohio’s order reflects the CDC’s recommendation that those who have not been vaccinated should still wear a mask and socially distance, and that everyone should wear masks when in a healthcare setting, when traveling on public transportation including airplanes, and when at a business or employer that chooses to require masks.
“The June 2 date I announced for the removal of health orders provided time for those who had not yet gotten their vaccine to get it,” said Governor DeWine in a release. “While our order will be amended to reflect the new CDC guidance, it will remain in place until June 2.”
Youth Can Be Vaccinated at Children’s Hospitals, Pediatricians — It was announced pediatricians can sign up to be vaccine providers for children 12 to 17 years old, who are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccine is also available at children’s hospitals and other providers.
Mount Carmel Health began offering appointments to 12 to 17-year-olds for the vaccine.
For more information on COVID-19 in Ohio, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.