This page provides collected updates from Delaware County and area media, as well as area and state health organizations, concerning the COVID-19 virus/Coronavirus that is impacting not only public health, but business and commerce as well. This page will be updated on a regular basis until such time as the spread has been arrested and is not representing a possible impact to central Ohio.
If you are aware of relevant information on this subject which you believe would be important for our readers, please let us know at: 1808Delaware@gmail.com.
Below you will find a list of local and state information resources; media posts; and social media posts.
NOTE — BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF INFORMATION TO SHARE, WE WILL BE MOVING TO A DAILY UPDATE FORMAT
DURING THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21-22.
Cancellations, Changes, and Local Information Pages - Continuously Updated
SCHOOL RELATED
- Olentangy Berlin — Effective Monday March 16 suspending all athletic events, activities, lifting, pictures, banquets, and practices through April 5. The building/facilities are closed. Superintendent’s update letter sent on March 14 can be accessed here.
- Buckeye Valley — District information page can be accessed here (updated 3.15.20)
- Delaware Area Career Center — Information page can be accessed here; newest update is here
- Olentangy Local — Information page can be accessed here
- Delaware City Schools — Closing information page can be accessed here
- Westerville — Information page can be accessed here (updated 3.15.20)
- Big Walnut — “All call” transcript from March 12 can be accessed here
COVID-19 (coronavirus) Information
Ohio Wesleyan is actively monitoring the international outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and will proactively share updates with the campus community, parents, and others as warranted. March 14, 2020 Here is additional information to help students transition now that in-person classes and athletics have been canceled, and remote learning has been implemented for the remainder of spring semester.
New: Coronavirus update on classes, housing, spring break and travel
The Ohio State University announced new information for students, faculty and staff in response to the international viral outbreak of 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19). The university launched a website with information about the coronavirus as well as an email account where general questions about the coronavirus can be directed: coronavirus@osum…
CANCELED EVENTS
- Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities has cancelled all in-person meetings and events through April 10
- Delaware Does for March 19 at the Entreprenurial Center has been canceled
- Community Film Series at The Strand Theatre
- Easter Egg Hunt — City of Delaware on April 11
CLOSURES
- Several locations and businesses have announced closures; see social media posts below.
PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES
- Delaware County District Library has announced protocols for its locations, see below for details
- Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has announced updated procedures and changes
- COTA
CITY, VILLAGE, and TOWNSHIP COVID-19 INFORMATION PAGES
- City of Powell is making changes to city operations effective on Monday. Details here. March 18 update here.
- City of Delaware
- City of Westerville
- Village of Ostrander
- Genoa Township
- Liberty Township
General Informational Resources
- COVID-19 page – Delaware General Health District
- coronavirus.ohio.gov – Ohio Department of Health – includes latest number of confirmed cases, number of people under investigation, negative tests, and number of people under supervision in Ohio
- Delaware County COVID-19 Information page
- Coronavirus update page – Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University
Media Posts
Ohio seeks to help its most vulnerable citizens during coronavirus crisis
A worker in the child care center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday. The child care center has shut down temporarily. A Nationwide Children’s Hospital employee is one of 119 Ohioans who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Coronavirus: Gov. Mike DeWine closes BMV offices, salons, spas; National Guard to help hospitals, food banks
A 2-year-old has been diagnosed with the coronavirus in central Ohio. Ohio State also reported its first cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Gov. Mike DeWine announced he will close salons, spas, tattoo parlors and nearly all Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices in response to the coronavirus.
Elective surgeries postponed in Ohio hospitals
The order will go into effect at the end of business on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Ohio Primary Election May Be Postponed; Governor Closes Gyms, Movie Theatres, And More
The movie screens are going dark in Delaware County, at least temporarily. Monday’s daily news conference by the Governor of Ohio, a staple in the last few days as COVID-19 begins to impact Ohioans, had national, statewide, and local ramifications. Initially resistant to changing the date of O
Gov. DeWine: Ohio schools could remain closed for remainder of the year
Gov. DeWine also stated in the interview that as many as 100,000 people in Ohio could be infected with the coronavirus.
13 coronavirus cases now confirmed in Ohio, 159 under investigation
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Health Department has confirmed eight more people have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total of confirmed cases in Ohio to 13. There are now 159 people under investigation, up from 52 Thursday, according to the department of health.
Coronavirus: Ohio to close schools, ban gatherings of more than 100 people
A man in Trumbull County tested positive for the coronavirus and is hospitalized. The state also issued new orders on large gatherings today. With the closure of schools and banning of 100-person gatherings, Ohio is slowly grinding to a halt as the coronavirus spreads throughout the state. Gov.
DeWine says Ohio will take more aggressive action after first case of community spread coronavirus
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the state of Ohio will be more aggressive after a fourth case of the coronavirus was announced as community spread. “Community spread is a game-changer. You’re going to see us taking more aggressive actions now,” DeWine said. “Please know that we’re doing this to protect Ohioans and protect our healthcare system.”
3 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio; DeWine declares State of Emergency
Three cases of COVID-19 coronavirus confirmed All from Cuyahoga County and are in their 50s Gov. DeWine declared a State of Emergency Eight others under investigation for possible exposure to the virus — COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine has declared a State of Emergency after three people in Ohio have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Coronavirus: What Ohio is doing to keep those at-risk safe – Columbus Dispatch
Officials give updates on coronavirus – Delaware Gazette
Delaware City Schools talk virus plans – Delaware Gazette
Social Media Posts
DelawareCareerCenter on Twitter
We are working diligently to provide a way for everyone to access our upcoming board meeting during this time when we are all encouraged to stay home. Please use this link to join us online at 6:30pm tonight, March 19th, 2020. https://t.co/QnuwTWw8PB
Delaware County SO on Twitter
For those who call the sheriff’s office to report non-violent, lower level crimes/issues, may be able to conduct their business over the phone with a deputy! Same great service, it’s just ear-to-ear in lieu of face-to-face due to COVID-19. Non-emergency calls: 740-833-2800. 📞
Powell Police on Twitter
Police Department Safety Kits Assembled – Our Police Department assembled several safety kits for our officers in the event they respond to a potential #COVID19 emergency call. We are #COVID19OhioReady with our local, county, state and federal agency partners.
Buckeye Gymnastics to close beginning March 16
Buckeye Gymnastics, which has locations in Powell and Westerville, will close indefinitely beginning March 16 because of the coronavirus pandemic, president and founder David Holcomb announced in an email March 15.The announcement followed a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that events and gatherings of at least 50 people should be canceled or postponed for eight weeks to help limit the spread of the disease.”It breaks my heart to close Buckeye Gymnastics,
Columbus Zoo on Twitter
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be temporarily closed effective Monday, March 16 to further support efforts to reduce the rapid spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and well-being of Zoo staff and the community. More info: https://t.co/NC8tDcBNzH.
As the COVID-1 situation is changing, DCDL is making accommodations in the public interest. DCDL will be canceling all programs and events from today, March 12 until at least 4/5. All locations will be closing to the public starting on 3/17 through at least 4/5. pic.twitter.com/SYOlzDVDHG
— Delaware County District Library (@DelawareLibrary) March 12, 2020
DeWine, health officials announce Ohio’s testing protocol for COVID-19
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Governor Mike DeWine has announced the Ohio Department of Health can now test for COVID-19 in its labs. The governor made the announcement Saturday along with state health officials. Gov. DeWine said the test results would come back within eight to 24 hours.
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has opened a call center to answer questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
The call center will be open 7 days a week from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm & can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). @CuyahogaCounty @CuyahogaOEM #WashYourHands pic.twitter.com/Pqi3uzSXX4 — Alex Pellom (@AlexPellom) March 7, 2020
