COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine on Tuesday, July 28, provided the following updates related to Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Child care ratios

Governor DeWine announced child care providers in Ohio may return to their normal, statutory ratios and class sizes beginning on Aug. 9.

Child care providers have a choice to increase the number of children and staff members to the normal statutory ratios or to maintain their current, lower ratios to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is structuring a financial incentive to providers that maintain smaller ratios and classroom sizes.

“Children cannot learn unless they are safe and cared for, and without access to child care, parents may resort to less-than-ideal options for their child’s care, such as relying on an elderly grandparent who is at greater risk for contracting COVID-19. By allowing normal ratios to resume, we’re giving parents more options,” said Governor DeWine. “We will continue to closely monitor reports of COVID-19 in child care, as well as compliance with rules and best practices, so that we can respond as needed to keep our children, families, and teachers safe.”

All child care providers must comply with stringent health and safety requirements including:

Face coverings for all staff and children over 10, unless they have a health exemption;

Symptom and temperature checks when staff and children arrive;

Washing hands throughout the day, including upon arrival and before departure;

Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces; and

Regular deep cleanings.

Additionally, providers must report any COVID-19 cases to ODJFS and their local health department.

County and independent fairs restricted

Governor DeWine also announced county and independent fairs with an opening day on or after July 31, will be limited to specific junior fair events.

Current COVID-19 data

At press time, the Wednesday, July 29, ODH update reported there have been 87,893 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 3,422 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 10,553 people have been hospitalized, including 2,513 admissions to intensive care units. Additional in-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov.

According to an update issued by Preble County Public Health on Wednesday, there have been 144 total confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in the county, including 98 reported as having recovered, and two deaths. At press time 44 active cases were reported.

For more information on Ohio’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.