“Battelle is telling us help is on the way:” FDA works to approve equipment sterilization

The Ohio Statehouse remains open for business and lawmakers assembled Wednesday to pass emergency legislation related to the coronavirus crisis. Reporters shifted from covering Gov. Mike DeWine’s daily press conferences in a crowded room, to a more spacious hearing room and now from the Statehouse Atrium. Support staff from janitors to audio-visual experts have been working to bring the daily briefings to reporters and the wider Ohio audience.“We want to keep these doors open as long as we can,” said Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. LAURA BISCHOFF / STAFF

The Ohio Statehouse remains open for business and lawmakers assembled Wednesday to pass emergency legislation related to the coronavirus crisis. Reporters shifted from covering Gov. Mike DeWine’s daily press conferences in a crowded room, to a more spacious hearing room and now from the Statehouse Atrium. Support staff from janitors to audio-visual experts have been working to bring the daily briefings to reporters and the wider Ohio audience.“We want to keep these doors open as long as we can,” said Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. LAURA BISCHOFF / STAFF
News
By Micah Karr
March 29, 2020
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Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the need for N95 masks during the coronavirus pandemic Sunday, March 29 during a press conference.

The conference was hosted in response to the FDA’s decision to limit Battelle to sterilizing 10,000 masks a day when they are capable of sterilizing up to 80,000 with one machine.

“Battelle is telling us help is on the way,” DeWine said.

After DeWine heard of the original decision to limit the production of masks, he called President Trump, who said he would take action concerning the situation.

Coronavirus: Complete coverage

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted encouraged the FDA to approve the full capacity of the machines used to sterilize the masks.

“This needs to be approved today,” Husted said. “We will not let up until this gets done.”

There are 1,653 cases confirmed in Ohio. 403 people have been hospitalized and there have been 29 deaths. 66 counties in Ohio have confirmed cases, as of Sunday, March 29.

Lewis Von Thaer president and CEO of Battelle, said they are researching methods to sterilize other medical equipment.

“We’re very proud of our women and men here,” he said. “They’ve been working around the clock.”

>>>Watch the conference live here<<<

We will update this story as we learn more.

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Micah Karr