Hospitals have been working for months to prepare for the spread of COVID-19 to Ohio, but efforts have intensified over the past couple of weeks.

The poetry of spring is gushing forth — the poetry of eternal spring, and the poetry of this strange spring, virus-tossed, virus-laced. A visionary poem by villager Robert Paschell, from the March column.

President Donald Trump has assured Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine that by the end of the day FDA would approve a new process, developed in Ohio, to sterilize used surgical masks, DeWine reported at a short press briefing on Sunday, March 29. Read reports from press briefings on March 27, 28 and 29.

First emerging in China in December, coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has now spread worldwide.

In a series of rapid developments that took place hours before the Ohio presidential primary, in-person voting in the state was off, then on, then off again.

It’s already become a ritual: each day at 2 p.m., give or take, Gov. Mike DeWine holds a live-streamed press briefing at the statehouse in Columbus, updating Ohioans on the status of the spread of COVID-19 and the state’s response.

“Today is the day”: Ohioans ordered to stay at home; first confirmed COVID-19 case in Greene County; known cases statewide surge to 351.

Strong words from Ohio officials as confirmed cases rise to 247 and the state orders closure of adult day services. Read more highlights from Gov. Mike DeWine’s March 21 press briefing.

Governor Mike DeWine defended the state’s emergency order to close polls; a new order restricts “elective surgeries” in an effort to conserve medical equipment and hospital beds. Read highlights from today’s press briefing here.

Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Action to order polls closed on Tuesday, March 17, after Ohio moved to extend voting to June 2 and was denied by Judge Richard Frye; a new order closes fitness centers, movie theaters and other recreational facilities statewide. Read highlights of Gov. DeWine’s March 16 press briefing on COVID-19.