Gov. Mike DeWine believes Ohio’s classrooms may not be able to reopen this spring to complete the school year as the state’s number of coronavirus cases continues to spiral.

And, the governor also disclosed in a round of appearances on Sunday morning national political talk shows that he is looking at potentially closing restaurants and bars across Ohio.

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday morning, DeWine was asked by host Brianna Keilar if his ordered three-week closure of schools could be extended.

On #CNNSOTU, @MikeDeWine tells @brikeilarcnn 40-70% of people in the U.S. are likely to get coronavirus.https://t.co/u22mKccrE0

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) March 15, 2020

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” DeWine replied, a day after Ohio’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 doubled to 26, including the first case in Columbus.

Two more cases in Franklin County were confirmed Sunday morning shortly after DeWine spoke, bringing the tentative statewide total to 28.

“We’ve informed the superintendents while we close schools for three weeks, that the odds are that this is going to go on a lot longer and it would not surprise me at all if schools did not open again this year,” the governor said.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” host Chuck Todd asked DeWine if he is considering ordering the closure of restaurants and bars in response to the pandemic.

“We’re certainly looking at that,” DeWine replied. He offered no other details.

WATCH: @GovMikeDeWine says he's looking at closing bars and restaurants in Ohio. #MTP #IfItsSunday



When making decisions, he says he's consulted the charts of the pandemic in 1918 — comparing St. Louis and Philadelphia: "What it tells us is ... every day counts so much." pic.twitter.com/V79gldkcDX

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 15, 2020

“These are tough decisions. We’re inconveniencing people and make people’s lives change, but we’ve got to save lives. Everything we’re doing is to save lives” he said. “We’re taking tough steps.”

Comment was being sought from the Ohio Restaurant Association. It has advised restaurants to adjust seating and eliminate tables to promote social distancing. It also has recommended that salad bars and buffets be closed.

In a a tweet in response to The Dispatch story, Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, encouraged DeWine to consider setting a limit on the number of people allowed in restaurants and taverns. “This would allow these businesses to remain open and may even help spread the business around in our communities,” he wrote.

Schools across Ohio have been ordered to close at the end of classes on Monday amid the state’s public-health emergency to check the spread of the virus.

DeWine said the pandemic could well extend into May to potentially imperil the reopening of schools before the school year ends that month or in June.

The unwanted school holiday idles nearly 1.7 million school children, leaving many working parents scrambling to secure child care while some schools move to distance learning. Questions remain about required testing, make-up days, and for high school seniors, graduation.

DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, state health director, also have forbidden gatherings of more than 100 people.

“The most important thing we can do ... is to try to flatten this curve. We’re doing the things to try to keep people apart,” DeWine said on CNN.

The governor said while they are only expert estimates, more than 100,000 Ohioans could be infected with COVID-19 and servings as carriers of the infectious disease.

DeWine said 40% to 70% of Ohioans could end up contacting the virus, which is most deadly to the elderly with pre-existing health conditions. Ohio has recorded no deaths.

https://twitter.com/GovMikeDeWine/status/1239250850339487744

New #COVID19 data just posted to https://t.co/3lWx4IRScb:



36 confirmed cases

139 negative cases

350 under investigation#COVID19OhioReady pic.twitter.com/60bF9qrj67

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 15, 2020

“What I have learned from talking with the experts is, it's not just one thing. You have got to do a lot of different things. And you have got to do them early. And that's what — that's what we're trying to do in Ohio.”

What Keilar described as Ohio’s “aggressive actions” have been hailed across the nation by commentators and elected officials.

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow