The 49-year-old man was on a Carnival cruise ship named the Valor. He joined the cruise in New Orleans Feb. 29 and returned to New Orleans on March 5. The cruise ship traveled to Cozumel and the Yucatan.

The number of Ohioans diagnosed with coronavirus doubled to 26 by Saturday afternoon, including the first case in Columbus.

There are seven Ohioans who have been hospitalized, and there were no deaths as of Saturday afternoon.

Health officials expect the numbers to continue to grow, and many of their efforts are focused on reducing exposure and slowing the spread of the disease.

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Facing a shortage of masks and medical equipment, the state has asked dentists and veterinarians to postpone elective surgeries, Gov. Mike DeWine said during a briefing on COVID-19 on Saturday. DeWine went on to say that it would be great if all health-are providers could postpone elective surgeries to free up medical supplies and beds.

"We’re in this for the long run," DeWine said. "This is not going to end overnight, so people have to understand that ... I think we all have to start looking at this as if it is going to be here for a while."

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Ohio hospitals are working together to create a set of criteria for what surgeries can be postponed, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, senior associate vice president for health sciences at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.

The state has received its shipment from the national stockpile of medical equipment and masks. But Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said that still won’t be enough. The coming days are likely to "tax any modern health-care system," she said.

Coronavirus patients in Ohio started showing symptoms as early as Feb. 7 and as late as March 13, Acton said.

Of the 26 confirmed cases, people range in age from 34 to 86. There are 12 females and 14 males who are diagnosed with COVID-19.

Many people likely don’t know they have the virus and are spreading it, DeWine said.

"We are on the upswing, and a week or two makes all the difference. ... We have to save lives and keep people from getting sick," Acton said.

DeWine said Saturday that he’s still considering action to close child-care facilities but has not yet done so. Health experts recommend parents pull their kids out of day care if possible, he said.

Any further orders or actions will focus on how to separate people and slow the spread of the virus, DeWine said. The state, Acton said, is looking at taking measures for transportation and labor, such as staggering shifts.

"This to me has been this long, slow tsunami coming," Acton said. "We’re doing everything we can thinking five steps ahead."

Columbus learned Friday night that a local man has tested positive for COVID-19.

The 49-year-old man was on a Carnival cruise ship named The Valor. He joined the cruise in New Orleans Feb. 29 and returned to New Orleans on March 5. The cruise ship traveled to Cozumel and the Yucatan.

The man returned to Columbus on March 6, and started experiencing symptoms the next day, city public health officials said. He is in isolation and recuperating, said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Columbus health commissioner.

Two household contacts of the Columbus man are being monitored by health officials, and so are two other contacts who are exhibiting symptoms, Roberts said.

Roberts said the man, who is unemployed, might have been part of a group from central Ohio that took the cruise. The city is asking anyone who was on the same cruise ship to call the health department at 614-645-1519.

Health officials are testing 54 people in Columbus and Worthington for COVID-19, she said. They expect community spread, which means cases that originated in the U.S. and cannot be traced to travel outside the country.

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said it was only a matter of time until Columbus saw its first case, and that officials have been planning for this day.

"This is not a surprise. This is not unexpected," he said. "In the coming days and weeks, we will have many, many more."

Ginther urged anyone who is sick to stay home.

DeWine encouraged people with mental health issues who might need to isolate themselves to reach out to people digitally or in ways to avoid in-person contact.

The governor also suggested that doctors rely more on tele-health services as COVID-19 spreads.

Lori Criss, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health Services, announced the state will relax regulations regarding psychiatric tele-health so people can seek treatment without meeting in person. State psychiatric hospital also will provide patients the opportunity to video chat with family because visitors have been banned, Criss said.

Despite the outbreak, Criss said patients shouldn’t skip appointments if they need them. She asked they call the state’s call center with any questions.

"We're all dealing with a new way of living that is temporary, but is really impacting us in very personal ways," Criss said.

Statewide, there are 264 people who are awaiting test results and 85 people who have tested negative for the disease, according to the state health department.

On Friday, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department closed all of its recreation centers through April 3.

The city will temporarily halt shutting off residents’ city water or electricity for unpaid bills and any other reason. Ginther said there is no need to buy bottled water because the city’s tap water is safe to drink.

It's safe and important to vote by this Tuesday in Ohio's statewide primary election, Ginther said, adding that it’s important that people go about their daily activities as much as possible.

"I understand the fear. But it's critically important that we continue to live our lives," Ginther said, encouraging people to still support local businesses.

On Friday, Roberts said testing for COVID-19 would ramp up this week as local hospitals joined in an effort to start analyzing results faster and in greater quantities.

Acton has said that as much as 40% of Ohio's population could eventually contract COVID-19.

Franklin County commissioners took steps Saturday to deal with the virus.

Personal and family visits to inmates at Franklin County’s Jackson Pike and Downtown jails are prohibited until further notice. Professional visits, including those involving attorneys and clergy, are now non-contact.

As of Friday, there were 1,898 inmates in the two jails, including about 240 nonviolent, misdemeanor offenders. Officials are considering ways to legally release the latter to reduce the number of people incarcerated.

Franklin County is expected to follow Columbus’ move and declare a public health emergency.

County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola said the declaration and other coronavirus-related decisions are on the agenda for a Board of Health meeting Wednesday evening.

Many county offices are operating with limited or remote staffs to reduce physical interaction. County Recorder Danny O’Connor’s office, for example, is using drop-boxes for documents to prevent contact between employees and the public.

Two-week paid wellness leaves have been offered to workers in county Clerk Maryellen O’Shaughnessy’s offices. Two of the four auto titling offices, including the North office at 980 Morse Road and the South office at 45 Great Southern Blvd., remain open with limited hours.

Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan’s offices are expecting an increase in filings for extensions on tax payments and waivers on resulting penalties and interest for late submissions, as residents face layoffs and work stoppages. The office is urging residents to submit applications online or over the phone.

The Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services is seeking waivers for benefits programs, in anticipation of increased filings from residents who are out of work.

"Some things are going to be very time-consuming, just because of the sheer volume," Director Joy Bivens said, urging patience from residents.

Wexner Medical Center will enact new visitor restrictions Sunday at its health care facilities. All visitors will be screened for symptoms and travel or exposure history.

There will be a limit of one visitor per patient in a hospital, according to Ohio State. No visitors are allowed in buildings from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., unless they are accompanying a newly admitted patient or a maternity patient.

Ohio State will not allow any visitors under age 16. Any patient coming to the emergency department, or for an an outpatient surgery or office visit will be limited to one visitor, according to Ohio State.

More businesses canceled events and limited audiences late last week.

Some grocery stores, including Giant Eagle and Kroger, shortened their hours starting Sunday so they will have more time to restock shelves and clean stores.

Casinos and racinos, which had remained open Friday, were warned to comply with the governor’s order to limit attendance to fewer than 100 people. Hollywood Casino on Columbus’ West Side and Scioto Downs on the South Side both closed Friday night.

Movie theaters were forced to limit their attendees, due to the governor’s orders.

At the Drexel Theatre in Bexley, the staff announced that it would begin operating at 50% capacity with its three screens. Grandview Theatre and Drafthouse is doing the same.

AMC Theaters said it would fill its theaters no more than 50% starting Saturday and continuing until the end of April, according to the Associated Press.

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