COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine called on Ohioans to be fully engaged in the battle against COVID-19 as the state sees an increasing surge in cases, hospitalizations and ICU admissions. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also spoke about the devastating effects the virus had on him during the governor's news conference.
“Sadly, our situation in Ohio continues to worsen,” DeWine said. “It’s time for all of us to come together. Truly, we need each and every one of you. We need you to be fully engaged in this battle.”
DeWine said it will take the state coming together to help slow the spread as the virus is spreading “extensively” across every county in the state.
During the press conference, DeWine Christie to speak about his own battle with COVID-19 after being diagnosed and spending time in an ICU unit with the virus.
“There’s no place to hide from this virus if you’re not going to take the common sense steps that the CDC, the NOH have recommended,” Christie said.
The former governor described the way the virus impacted him and urged those watching to keep taking measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask and frequent hand washing.
“It’s like getting beaten up from the inside out,” Christie said of the virus. “I know how tired of this everyone is, I felt it myself. But I will tell you that as tired as you are of strapping that mask on or going to the sink and washing those hands again, I can tell you, you will take those days in a heartbeat compared to getting this disease.”
DeWine said that On Thursday, Ohio reported the highest number of new daily cases since the start of the pandemic. Eight of the 10 highest new cases have occurred in the last nine days and there is no sign of a plateau in sight.
