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Two Former Governors To Help Ohio Boost COVID-19 Testing

WCBE 90.5FM | By Ohio Public Radio

Published April 22, 2020 at 5:18 AM EDT

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is tapping two of his predecessors to help increase the number of COVID-19 tests being administered.

Former Ohio governors Dick Celeste and Bob Taft will lead a new team that will will work with business, academic and public sector leaders to source testing items and expand testing capabilities. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.

DeWine touted experience with statewide and international issues in announcing he’d asked Celeste and Taft to lead the COVID-19 Testing Strike Team.

Taft went on many international trade trips during his terms in the early 2000's and Celeste, who served as governor in the 80's, is the former ambassador to India.

DeWine: "These two leaders have a depth of experience in Ohio and internationally, they know their way around Ohio, they know their way around the world."

Their job is to find a way to increase and maximize COVID-19 testing in Ohio.

The announcement comes a day after Maryland Governor Larry Hogan secured half a million coronavirus tests in a deal with South Korea.

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