Jackie Borchardt and Jessie Balmert | Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - Ohio’s schools will close for at least three weeks, starting at the end of classes Monday, as state health officials work to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that public and private, kindergarten through 12th-grade schools will close from Tuesday through April 3. It’s not yet clear how the closure will affect state testing. DeWine said the closures do not include preschools and child care centers.

DeWine said he knows this will be unwelcome, disruptive news for parents statewide.

"We have compassion for that,” DeWine said. “But we have a responsibility to save lives."

DeWine acknowledged school closures could disrupt services including meals and state officials will support local efforts to address student needs.

The goal of these cancellations is to prevent the possible spread of disease. If too many people become sick too quickly, that could overwhelm hospitals, leaving them without enough beds or ventilators for patients.

Although children who contract COVID-19, a disease caused by the coronavirus, typically present mild symptoms, they can be carriers for the virus.

Janet Loehrke

As of Thursday, five people in their 50s in northeastern Ohio had tested positive for COVID-19. State health officials expect those numbers to rise in the coming days.

“We must treat this like what it is and that is a crisis,” DeWine said. “A crisis like most of us have not seen in our lifetimes.”

Ban on large gatherings

The state is also prohibiting most gatherings of 100 people or more. The ban applies to indoor gatherings in arenas, theaters, conference rooms, fairs, festivals and parades.

The ban does not apply to:

airports

buses or train stations

libraries

shopping malls

grocery stores

athletic events without spectators beyond relatives and media

religious services

weddings

funerals

If someone violates the ban on large gatherings, police could break it up, said DeWine, adding that is not the goal. He hopes everyone will abide by the limit.

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DeWine’s order came as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of more than 500 people.

Ohio is also prohibiting all visitors at nursing homes and state psychiatric hospitals.

“This is not something that we want to do,” DeWine said. “This will not last forever. This is temporary.”

DeWine's promise to ban large gatherings in Ohio on Wednesday triggered a domino effect in the sports world. The NCAA first said it would ban spectators at March Madness basketball tournaments before canceling them Thursday. The National Basketball Association, National Hockey Association and Major League Soccer suspended their 2020 seasons.

Election Day is not considered a large gathering and will continue as planned on Tuesday. Election officials are looking for more poll workers, especially younger individuals, to help with voting.

More tests conducted

Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton said the state has received two additional test kits and now has the capacity to test 1,200 to 1,500 people. The state lab east of Columbus has added a third shift to return test results around the clock.

Ohioans feeling ill with coronavirus symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath – are advised to call their health care provider. Tests can only be conducted if ordered by a physician and will be given to those at highest-risk. As of Thursday afternoon, 30 people had tested negative and 52 were awaiting test results.

Because recent positive cases did not travel abroad or come into contact with someone who did, health officials are assuming community spread of the disease. That means, Acton said, it’s likely 1% of Ohio’s population – more than 100,000 people – already have the virus.

Acton said Ohio may soon stop testing in this manner because up to 70% of the state’s population will have the virus.

The state has set up a toll-free help line: 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.