School breakfast and lunch programs to continue during 3-week closure of Ohio schools, Gov. DeWine announces

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) - Gov. Mike DeWine and other officials, including Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, held a briefing on Friday to discuss the state’s ongoing efforts to combat coronavirus.

The Governor said the state received waivers from President Donald Trump’s administration to assist schools with continuing to provide food to children who rely on those meals.

I am pleased to announce that in the past 24 hours, @USDA approved two of #Ohio’s waiver requests to keep school breakfast and lunch programs going while schools are closed. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady pic.twitter.com/aBn3T8SiEB
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 13, 2020

DeWine said each school will be able to provide “grab and go” meals. It will be up to those schools to decide how the meals will be packaged.

Schools will be able to provide every child under 18 with “grab and go” meals, ensuring that no child goes hungry while school is out. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 13, 2020

Friday’s announcement comes a day after the Governor ordered on Thursday for all schools, whether public, private, or chartered, close for three weeks in an effort to limit the possibility for coronavirus transmission.

“We have announced in the last few days some very tough measures for Ohio,” DeWine stated.

We have a responsibility to save lives. We could have waited to close schools, but based on advice from health experts, this is the time to do it. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 12, 2020

DeWine also placed a ban on certain mass gatherings involving more than 100 people after announcing five Ohio patients tested positive for coronavirus.

Prior to the DeWine’s remarks, the Ohio Department of Health announced an increase in confirmed coronavirus cases and number of persons currently under investigation.

13 individuals test positive for coronavirus
159 persons under investigation for coronavirus

In the days ahead, you're going to see more and more cases of #COVID19. It is all over the state of #Ohio. It's not unexpected, but you will see these numbers significantly increase in the next few days.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 13, 2020