Researchers with the University of Cincinnati spoke to Cincinnati news media about their latest projections for COVID-19, which could help Ohio reopen more safely.
WCPO's Josh Bazan interviewed UC College of Pharmacy Dean Neil MacKinnon and UC assistant professor Diego Cuadros, members of UC's Geospatial Health Advising Group.
UC's College of Pharmacy and its departments of math and geography conducted its analysis using data collected from March 1-23 before Ohio implemented its stay-at-home order. During that period the virus was on pace to cause 13,000 hospitalizations, killing 1,080 people in Ohio by April 15 until the state enacted measures such as mandatory closures and other social-distancing practices.
UC's analysis found that social distancing saved 687 lives and cut hospitalizations by more than 10,500 cases through April 15.
Now UC researchers project Ohio will see an estimated 4,816 new hospitalizations and 1,073 deaths by June 1 under current social-distancing policies.
UC researchers determined that social distancing has cut the growth rate of coronavirus infections in Ohio by about 35%. Relaxing these measures moderately (defined as policy changes that reduce this mitigation impact by 50%) will lead to an estimated 7,682 hospitalizations and 1,367 deaths. Relaxing the social-distancing policies significantly (defined as policy changes that reduce the mitigation impact by 70%) will lead to an estimated 10,846 hospitalizations and 1,629 deaths by June 1, UC researchers say.
Likewise, moderate reopening in Ohio will mean 67 of Ohio's 88 counties will reach full ICU bed capacity by June 30. Significant reopening will lead to ICU bed capacity by June 13 and more than 7,000 ICU beds statewide would be needed by June 30.
Featured image at top: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine talks about reopening Ohio. Photo/WCPO
UC's Geospatial Health Advising Group projects deaths from coronavirus under different social-distancing standards. Graphic/UC
