Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton are continuing to enforce a stay-at-home order for all Ohioans, as the number of cases increases to 2,500.

Deaths have also risen to 65 from 55, the bulk of those still in Mahoning County at ten deaths, the most in the state for the second day in a row. 

DeWine said in his news briefing that they had created the "Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19."

The Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA), Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), Ohio Manufacturing Extension Program (Ohio MEP), nursing homes, and JobsOhio are all a part of this program.  

DeWine said the state is still in need of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), so any manufacturer that can help make any equipment to head to repurposingproject.com for a full list of what is needed. 

DeWine also signed an executive order during his briefing to help small businesses and issued a plea to the lenders and landlords across Ohio to suspend payments for at least 90 days. 

This would help prevent foreclosures and a further economic downturn across the state. 

Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted said that people should contact their landlord or their mortgage holder, the bank, to work out the terms. 

Dr. Amy Acton signed an order that will help the turnaround time when it comes to getting tests back as soon as possible. The ODH is working in three shifts to help ramp up testing capabilities. 

Beginning Wednesday, Ohioans will no longer be able to send tests to private labs. 

The governor said as the White House works to get rapid tests on the market, they will keep the state up to date on when that would become available in Ohio, which could come as early as next week. 

He also added that testing is still reserved for the sickest citizens, healthcare workers, and first responders. 

"I feel like we are living in 'Groundhog Day.' If you remember, Bill Murray's character went through the stages of grief. I think many of us are going through this now. Please be kind to others, don't forget that everyone is going through the same stress," said Dr. Acton. "Just like a virus is contagious, our moods are contagious."

Tuesday, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Ohio that will allow federal assistance for state and local recovery efforts.

This grant, DeWine said, provides grants from FEMA to state and local governments, police and fire, sheltering, etc. 

It will shift some funding burden from state and local governments and will take 75 percent of certain COVID costs, which includes operation centers, PPE, and temporary medical facilities. 

The funding is available to state and eligible local governments and some non-profit organizations.

This will also help bring the National Guard to large cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, who are bracing for that surge and help increase hospital capacity. 

Governor Mike DeWine also ordered Tuesday mandatory weekly online reporting of ventilator availability, just in case supplies need to be moved around.

"We are also working independently of this to secure more ventilators in Ohio, and we will have more information on that in the coming days," said DeWine.

In regards to elective surgeries, DeWine reiterated that the executive order does apply to abortions, and believes the order is in the best interest of Ohio. 

DeWine also said he would have an order coming out Thursday that will deal with places like churches.

"Anyone who goes into a big group of people is making a very, very serious mistake," said DeWine. "They're endangering themselves, their family and total strangers. Any pastor who brings a group of people together, it's a huge mistake."

DeWine also announced an order that prohibits public water systems from shutting off water service to customers due to nonpayment, as well as increasing the state's unemployment website capacity by 20 percent.

You can apply for unemployment claims here. 

As for preparing for the light at the end of the tunnel, Dr. Acton said if the curve of the virus peaks in May, then it will be a slow process to get to the end of the curve.