Rep. Sweeney statement following surge of COVID-19 cases in Ohio

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) issued a statement Wednesday following the news that Ohio reported 2,366 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, a new record and the sixth day in the last week with over 2,000 new daily cases. Hospitalizations also reached a new high, with a total of 1,252 Ohioans in the hospital for COVID-19, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

“Ohio’s surge of COVID-19 cases should remind us all that – as much as we would all like it to be – this fight isn’t over yet,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Everyone can take simple but important steps to get this pandemic under control by wearing a mask in public and maintaining social distance. Not only are these steps an example of putting others before yourself, they are also critical to protecting small businesses and our economy as a whole.”

For months, House Democrats have called on Republican House leadership to require masks inside the Ohio Statehouse. Most recently, State Representative Kent Smith (D-Euclid) called on Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) to implement a mask mandate.