Ohio county says jump in coronavirus cases coming from nursing home

While Gov. Mike DeWine and state lawmakers continue to plan how Ohio will emerge from the state’s stay-at-home order, businesses, colleges and other events are assessing their future. Here are some of the virus-related developments in Ohio:

COUNTY CASES

Northwest Ohio’s Putnam County was one of the last counties in Ohio to record its first positive case. Now, less than two weeks later, the county has nearly 50 people with the virus.

Health Commissioner Kim Rieman said many of the new cases are connected to an outbreak at a long-term care facility and that they are working on contact tracing and finding people who might have an increased risk.

Some lawmakers who two weeks ago were pushing for the state to immediately restart some nonessential work around the state had pointed to the county as an area where the virus had not taken hold.

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STATE CASES

Nearly 14,700 cases of the virus have been reported statewide, including 656 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations, according to figures released Thursday.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

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UNIVERSITY CUTS

The University of Akron’s president plans to make steep cuts to its academic and athletic departments, adding there’s considerable uncertainty about the future of mid-major athletics.

Akron President Gary Miller said that school leaders will be looking at a “full reorganization” of academics that reduces the number of colleges and programs.

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SPORTS

Directors of two of Ohio’s biggest road races say they’ll take their cues for how runners should train from medical and state officials as they look forward to events this summer.

The Capital City half marathon, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed until Aug. 29. The Columbus marathon is still scheduled for Oct. 18.

The marathon is hosting pre-run online meetings with runners who normally train together to encourage them before their solo runs, said director Darris Blackford.

The half-marathon’s medical director has been instructing athletes about “training and group training and how far you need to stay apart,” said race director David Babner.

In Akron, meanwhile, the city on Thursday canceled large running events scheduled for June and August.