COLUMBUS, Ohio—Gov. Mike DeWine and health officials on Saturday urged people to postpone dental, veterinary, and possibly medical elective surgeries, in part because of a shortage of masks needed to protect medical professionals against coronavirus.

Their comments, made at a Statehouse news conference, come after the U.S. surgeon general made a similar recommendation on Twitter to help the fight against coronavirus, which has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide -- including 26 confirmed cases in Ohio.

Hospital & healthcare systems, PLEASE CONSIDER STOPPING ELECTIVE PROCEDURES until we can #FlattenTheCurve! 👇🏽



Each elective surgery you do:



1) Brings possible #Coronavirus to your facilities

2) Pulls from PPE stores

3) Taxes personnel who may be needed for #COVIDー19 response https://t.co/WAUTXF5Vyc — U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) March 14, 2020

Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said there is a shortage of fitted surgical N95 masks, which are used by health care workers to protect them from infected patients. DeWine said Ohio has already received a shipment of masks from a national strategic stockpile, and Acton said officials have been conserving their use for weeks, but it’s not enough.

“We have some, but the numbers are nowhere near what we will need," she said.

DeWine and Acton only recommended diverting masks from dental and veterinary procedures. DeWine said he spoke to groups representing Ohio dentists and veterinarians about postponing elective surgeries prior to Saturday’s news conference.

While right now state officials are only asking for masks to be reassigned away from elective surgery or ambulatory procedures, Acton said she might issue an order on Monday requiring such a move. However, she said the state is working with Ohio dentists on the issue.

“We won’t just be putting something down on them,” she said.

When asked whether they wanted Ohioans to postpone medical elective surgeries, Acton said more information on that would be given on Monday.

Acton said officials are looking at potentially compensating people for masks they turn over, though she warned against price gouging. She added her department will announce in coming days where to deliver the masks.

Another issue, DeWine said, is that the masks are manufactured in China, where shipments have been disrupted because of coronavirus. The governor said the United States should ensure that these sort of masks are made domestically.

“The idea that all this stuff comes from China is just outrageous, and we should not let ourselves get into that position again,” DeWine said.

Besides the mask shortage, DeWine said, another reason to postpone elective surgeries is that it will free up hospital rooms for others in immediate need of care. But even outpatient surgeries consume “personal protection equipment” that medical professionals need, he said.

DeWine said he spoke to groups representing Ohio dentists and veterinarians prior to Saturday’s news conference about postponing elective surgeries.

Acton said it’s important to prepare now as the number of infections escalates, comparing the situation to preparing for a hurricane.

“You want to evacuate while the sun’s out, because it’s very chaotic to do it in the middle of the storm,” she said.

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26 confirmed Ohio coronavirus cases: Gov. DeWine’s Saturday briefing

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Ohio’s casinos, racinos must shut down or keep customers, workers below a total of 100

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