Leader Sykes statement following new COVID-19 record

COLUMBUS – House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement today following the news that Ohio broke its single-day record of COVID-19 cases with 2,039 in the last single 24 hours, according to the Ohio Department of Health. This is the first day over 2,000 cases since the pandemic began.

“This single-day Covid-19 case record goes to show that this virus is still running rampant in our communities,” said Leader Sykes. “We cannot afford to lose anymore Ohioans to this illness, which is why it is important for all of us to take the necessary safety precautions, such as remaining socially distance, washing your hands for 20 seconds, and wearing a mask in public.”

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.