Ohio to close senior centers on Monday

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced Friday he is shuttering the state’s senior centers amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. 

DeWine said the closings, which will go into effect at the end of the day Monday, are to protect the elderly, one of the most at-risk demographics for dying from the virus.

“I am signing an executive order today that will go into effect at the close of business on Monday. All facilities providing older adult day care services and senior centers will close,” he said.

Senior Centers: I am signing an executive order today that will go into effect at the close of business on Monday. All facilities providing older adult day care services and senior centers will close.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 20, 2020

DeWine added that he’s been “assured” that the seniors who depend on the centers’ food will have it delivered to their homes.

“Our grave concern is about the danger of seniors being together and the spread of #COVID19,” he said.

Ohio has had 120 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the outbreak began. One person in the state has died so far.

The announcement comes days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released research showing that 80 percent of deaths associated with the coronavirus in the United States were in adults aged 65 and older.

“The risk for serious disease and death in COVID-19 cases among persons in the United States increases with age,” the CDC said. “Social distancing is recommended for all ages to slow the spread of the virus, protect the health care system, and help protect vulnerable older adults.” 

The CDC recommends that older adults stay home as much as possible and stock at least 30 days of groceries.