The State of Ohio reports, as of the Monday afternoon update, 20,474 total COVID-19 cases (including probable cases). Overall, 56 percent are males and 44 percent females, with 1,090 ICU admissions, 3,809 hospitalizations and 1,056 deaths.

Clinton County reported late Friday afternoon that the county was at 25 confirmed cases, plus six probable ones. No new numbers have been announced as of Monday.

At Monday’s news conference and via Twitter, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said, “Our restaurant group has been working very hard, and they are nearly finished with their plan. Within the next several days we’ll be rolling out the protocol for reopening restaurants. We’ll also be able to announce a reopening date.

“As we approach the #ResponsibleRestartOhio opening for retail on May 12, we remind you that retail can right now do curbside or by appointment service. This won’t work for all businesses, but if it works for your retail company you can do this today.

“We don’t want to dramatically swing the wrong way. Ohio’s future remains in Ohioans’ hands. I didn’t accomplish this. You accomplished this. If each of us continues to do our part, all of us are protected. We are starting to open up, but we must remember where these COVID-19 numbers are. In three or four weeks, we’ll compare those numbers with where we are today. We will be as open with you and honest with you about where the numbers are.”

Show you care

“I continue to appeal to every Ohioan: wearing a face covering is the right thing to do,” DeWine said. “As warm weather approaches, the inclination is to go out and do things — there is nothing wrong with that but we need to remember that what we do impacts others.

“There are legitimate reasons why some may not be able to wear one in a store, but the fact remains that when you do — you’re saying that you care about other people. We’re going to continue to do everything we can to get that message across.”