Cleveland COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE FOR MARCH 30, 2020 - FIN

information as of 3:15 P.M. EDT

CONFIRMED CASES

In the past 24 hours, Metropolitan Cleveland has confirmed 97 new cases, down from 123 new cases in the preceding 24-hour period, for a total of 834 cases. Cuyahoga County saw 53 new cases (down from 70 new cases in the preceding 24-hour period), for a total of 493 cases. The region’s day over day increase was 13.2%, compared to a 20.0% increase in the preceding 24-hour period.

Also, during the past 24 hours, the number of confirmed cases in Ohio increased by 280 cases for a total of 1,933 cases. Though this is a greater increase in new case numbers than the preceding 24-hours period which saw 247 new cases, the rate of increase was lower, at 16.9% vs. 17.6%. It is important to note, though, the number of new cases discovered are a function of how many tests are administered, which are likely not consistent per day per geography, both within Ohio and across the United States.

Also, Ohio had 10 new fatalities since yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 39. US and worldwide confirmed cases continued to grow as well, increasing from yesterday by 13.1% and 7.8%, respectively. Details by geography:

Cases Per capita

Looking at the number of cases per 100,000 population, Cuyahoga County has a higher number of cases than the other Cleveland counties and the state as a whole.

Cuyahoga county

Over the past 24 hours, confirmed cases increased by 53, or 12.0%, in the county for a total of 493 cases; in the preceding 24-hour period, cases in the County increased by 18.9%.

THE OUTER COUNTIES

Of the confirmed cases in Greater Cleveland, the majority (59.1%) are in Cuyahoga County. However, the number of new cases in the outer counties continue to grow, increasing 14.8% from yesterday to today.

CUYAHOGA Cases by zip code released

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health released the number of cases by ZIP code for data as of 6 a.m. on March 26. At that time, Downtown Cleveland has 7 or fewer cases (the 3 downtown ZIP codes also cover areas outside of Downtown). See page 6 of this document. We hope CCBH will regularly release these data by ZIP code, as the information is already very outdated.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

On Wednesday (3/25), the US death toll has crossed the 1,000 mark, the 2,000 mark was passed yesterday evening (3/28) and the 3,000 mark will be crossed THIS EVENING (3/30).
Health-care workers comprise 26% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cuyahoga County as of Friday (3/27) per the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. See Page 5 of this document.
An historic $2 trillion stimulus bill to offset COVID-19’s economic impact has been signed into law.
The Ohio Senate passed emergency legislation covering numerous topics impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill extends the voting by mail postmark deadline to April 27 for the Ohio Primary Election. It waves the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits, extends the state income tax filing date to July 15 (same as the IRS), and allows transfer of $2.7 billion from Ohio's Budget Stabilization Fund (rainy day fund).
The District of Columbia ordered a shutdown of all non-essential business in the city yesterday. The order is in effect until April 24, 2020. This date is the latest date regarding shutdowns to be in effect that we have seen. We expect Ohio’s “stay at home,” order, currently effective til April 6th, to be extended as the number of new cases continue to rise at a devastating rate.
The Cleveland Marathon, set for May 17th, has been cancelled.
Downton Cleveland Hotel Closures: Temporary closures due to COVID-19: Westin Cleveland Downtown and the Kimpton Schofield Hotel.

THE REAL NUMBER OF CASES IN THE US

The REAL number of cases in the US: According to Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology and the director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard on 3/23, the real number of cases in the US could be 10 times higher than the “confirmed” number. He states, “We must vastly expand our testing capacity. No country has controlled transmission effectively without massive testing capacity. The United States currently has a sliver of the capacity we need, which is a tiny fraction of that available in other countries. South Korea has performed over 320,000 tests — almost one for every 150 people. That is 30 times the testing per capita that we have done in the United States. Exceptional teams are racing to solve testing bottlenecks at local and state levels — Massachusetts is just one example — filling the vacuum left by the complete absence of federal leadership.”

BE WARY OF SCAMS AND PHISHING ATTEMPTS

A broad range of scams are evolving including shady emails/websites designed to collect bank account numbers or to sell phony products such as cures, vaccines, or “home test kits.” Some are written to look like they appear from government agencies like Health and Human Services, the CDC, World Health Organizations, or others. They could be pretend to be from the State of Ohio, the County, the City, the Red Cross, or any organization. Also, there are reports of people going door-to-door posing as officials from various organizations. Some websites claiming to be official require the user to enter personal information (name, SSN, date of birth) to ‘verify’ that it’s you or to register to collect government funds, which facilitate identity theft. Phone calls by individuals posing to be from charitable organizations are trying to solicit funds and credit card numbers. Like the COVID-19 itself, the scams are evolving. Here are websites that provide some guidance: here, here and here. More information and some recordings of scam phone calls, such as fake tests for Medicare recipients, a mortgage scam, Social Security Administration scam, free test kit scam, and others can be found here.

LOSS OF SMELL OR TASTE MAY BE A SYMPTOM OR EARLIER INDICATOR

The loss of smell and a diminished sense of taste absent any other causes such as allergies or sinusitis, may indicate COVID-19, meaning persons should immediately self-isolate. From the New York Times:

“Anosmia, the loss of sense of smell, and ageusia, an accompanying diminished sense of taste, have emerged as peculiar telltale signs of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and possible markers of infection….“We really want to raise awareness that this is a sign of infection and that anyone who develops loss of sense of smell should self-isolate,” Prof. Claire Hopkins, president of the British Rhinological Society, wrote in an email. “It could contribute to slowing transmission and save lives.”

….The American Academy of Otolaryngology on Sunday posted information on its website saying that mounting anecdotal evidence indicates that lost or reduced sense of smell and loss of taste are significant symptoms associated with Covid-19, and that they have been seen in patients who ultimately tested positive with no other symptoms…”

DRIVE-THRU CORONAVIRUS TESTING

Drive through testing is offered by the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and Metro. Testing will not be for anyone simply upon request, as test kits and capacity are still limited. Advanced approval/consultation is required. Testing locations:

University Circle: Cleveland Clinic testing center: the W.O. Walker Building parking garage, at 10524 Euclid Ave, at E. 105 St. and Euclid Ave., seven days a week. Cleveland Clinic has REDUCED TESTING HOURS, which were from 11am to 7pm. Testing is now only available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients should enter the garage from E. 105th St. A Cleveland Clinic provider’s order is required for testing. The Clinic is prioritizing testing for certain groups, defined as being symptomatic AND of various criteria including age 61 and older, age under 36 months, on immunosuppressive therapy, and several other criteria. For more details, on test at the Clinic, click here.
Mayfield Hts: University Hospitals (UH) testing center: UH Landerbrook Health Center, 5850 Landerbrook Drive, Mayfield Heights. Enter off Cedar Road onto Landerbrook Drive between Cedar and Brainard Roads. To receive a COVID-19 test here, you must have a UH physician’s order. UH: “Patients of any age will be tested regardless of ability to pay, and no copays will be charged. To alleviate delays, patients will be assigned a 30-minute time slot to arrive for testing.” UH’s website as of 3/27 no longer identifies the times/dates that drive-thru testing is available as it has in previous days. More info on UH testing.
MetroHealth: Results in two hours, but testing supplies and capacity are limited. For more information, call the MetroHealth hotline at 440-592-6843. More info.

“STAY AT HOME” ORDER ISSUED BY THE OHIO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Effective 11:59pm Monday, March 23 until at least 11:59 p.m., April 6. This is MANDATORY, and not “guidance.” The full 12-page, signed order can be seen/downloaded HERE.
Persons may leave home for essential activities including taking care of family members and shopping for food and supplies.
Restaurants offering carry-out services will remain open; non-essential businesses are to remain closed. The following are considered essential:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Banks
- Hardware stores
- Police stations
- Fire stations
- Hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations
- Garbage/sanitation
- Public transportation
- Public benefits (i.e. SNAP, Medicaid) hotlines
Residents are allowed to go outside, but should maintain social distancing.
Playgrounds are off-limits.
You may leave to pick up meals at your child’s school if such is offered.
Roads will not be closed, but you should only travel if it is essential to your work or health.

Click here for additional information and an FAQ about this mandatory order or see the full order here.

PUBLIC SUPPORT LINES FOR QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

MetroHealth: Dedicated MetroHealth support line for questions/concerns: 440-592-6843 (440-59-COVID)
Ohio Department of Health 24/7 hotline: 833-427-5634 (833.4.ASK.ODH)
Cuyahoga County Board of Public Health Clinic: 216-201-2041
City of Cleveland, Department of Public Health: See numbers here.
US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: 800-232-4636 (800-CDC-INFO) or website.

METROHEALTH LOCATION CLOSURES

MetroHealth System announced the following location closures (More info):

Health Care Centers: Brunswick, Gordon Square (LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland), Medina, Rocky River, and State Road (North Royalton)
Discount Drug Mart Sites: Independence, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, and Parma Heights

MetroHealth is also delivering prescriptions as a complimentary service. For prescription questions, call 216-957-6337 (216-957-MEDS).

NEW UH AND CLEVELAND CLINIC HOSPITAL VISITOR POLICIES

Both University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic have new, restricted visitor policies.

University Hospitals (UH): “New Visitor Policy: To protect against the spread of COVID-19, all visitors will be screened before entering UH facilities. Visitors who show symptoms of the flu will not be allowed to enter, per CDC guidelines. No visitors will be allowed to see patients who have been confirmed to have COVID-19, are in a UH Seidman Cancer Center, or who are on any general medical floors.” More info here.
Cleveland Clinic: “Inpatient Locations: For all hospital locations in Ohio and Florida, we are restricting all visitors. Exceptions will be made for the following patients:

Pediatric patients (1 visitor).
Labor & Delivery patients (1 visitor).
End-of-life circumstances (patient’s care team will discuss with their family).

All other visitors will be asked to leave the hospital.” Details here.

AIRPORTS AND AIR SERVICE

Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE), Cleveland Burke Lakefront (BKL), and Akron-Canton (CAK) remain open. However, all airlines globally are reducing service levels—some drastically—check with your airline for specific flights. Known current reductions and other information:

Cleveland Hopkins (CLE):
- Cancellations today (3/30): there are 124 flight cancellations for Cleveland Hopkins: 63 flights to Cleveland and 61 Cleveland departures.
- Parking in the Smart Parking Garage, Orange, Red and Blue Lots is free.
- The Brown Lot (Parking) at Hopkins has temporarily closed; vehicles currently in the lot can exit without charge. The Brown Lot shuttle service ceased today, March 21, at 10:00 a.m. For access to the lot after this time, passengers can use a CLE taxi near Baggage Claim 11 free of charge.
- Effective 12:01am Sunday, March 22, all TSA screening at Hopkins will be at Checkpoint “C” Security (South Checkpoint). TSA-Pre-Check will also be at this location.
- To support reductions throughout its network, United is parking approximately 20 737s and other aircraft at Cleveland Hopkins for the foreseeable future.
- A TSA screener at Hopkins, at Checkpoint “A” Security (also called “North Checkpoint”) tested positive for COVID-19. Per the TSA, the screener’s last shift was from 4am to noon on Saturday, March 14.
- United Airlines is suspending LAX-CLE through mid-April.
- Air Canada: CLE-YYZ suspended for April.
- Delta: CLE-Hartford (BDL) suspended for April.
- Delta: CLE-Raleigh/Durham (RDU) suspended for April.
- Delta: CLE-Salt Lake City (CLD) suspended for April.
- Southwest: After 15 April, CLE-Milwaukee (MKE) will operate on Sundays only.
- Frontier: CLE-Cancun (CUN) suspended for April.
- Frontier: CLE-Punta Cana (PUJ) suspended for April.
- Spirit: CLE-Boston (BOS) suspended for May.
- Lounges: While United has suspended operations at some of its lounges worldwide, the United Club on Concourse C remains operational at this time.
Burke Lakefront (BKL):
- Ultimate Air: All BKL-Cincinnati (LUK) flights are suspended until further notice.
Akron-Canton (CAK):
- UA: United is suspending EWR-CAK and IAH-CAK.

AMTRAK

Two routes serve Cleveland:

Lakeshore Limited: Chicago-Cleveland-New York/Boston: Operating normal service
Capitol Limited: Chicago-Cleveland-Pittsburgh-Washington, DC: Operating normal service

LOCAL TRAINS & BUSES

Cleveland RTA: RTA states it will “clean every train every 24 hours. RTA will also continue to disinfect buses and paratransit vehicles every 24 hours.” Three Cleveland RTA employees were under quarantine after possible exposure on cruises. Two RTA employees tested negative; the third developed no symptoms and remains under quarantine. The Regional Transit Authority is operating normal service on all trains and most bus lines. EFFECTIVE MARCH 24: RTA IS SUSPENDING all Park-N-Ride and all Downtown Trolley Bus services until further notice.
Laketran: Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Laketran is suspending fare collection for all services until Thursday, April 30, 2020. Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Route 13 is suspended. Routes 10-12 will operate on a modified schedule. Effective April 1, 2020—Passengers other than those who require the ADA ramp or bus kneeling can enter from the bus’s front door (near the bus operator). All other passengers must enter through the rear door.

Akron Metro: All services are fare-free until further notice. Effective Monday, March 23: Route x60 Akron-Downtown Cleveland is suspended. Effective Monday, March 30: DASH Service is suspended. Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center lobby is closed until further notice.

MOBILE PHone Alerts

Sign up for “CodeRED” alerts to receive calls and emails from the City, Cuyahoga County, and/or any Cuyahoga County suburb.

To sign up online, visit https://bit.ly/CLECodeRED
Get mobile alerts by downloading the CodeRED app via the Apple or Google Play stores
City of Cleveland seniors who need assistance signing up are welcome to call the Department of Aging at 216-664-4383 for periodic phone call messaging.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL MEALS

CMSD: All schools remain closed until at least May 1. From CMSD: “The District will supply free lunch to go, along with breakfast for the next day, for pickup at 22 elementary schools located strategically across the city. The meals will be distributed Monday through Friday. The food is available to children 18 and younger, even if they are not CMSD students. CMSD will provide yellow bus shuttle service to and from the food pickup sites for those who need transportation. Also, RTA will honor students' bus passes while the schools are closed.” School meal pickup locations and shuttle services details can be found here.
Suburban and Non-CMSD Schools in the City: All schools are closed, per order of the State of Ohio, until at least May 1. However, meals may continue to be offered. For information and locations on school breakfasts/lunches during the schools shutdown, click here.

PARKS

At this time, all parks remain open. However some facilities are closed at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Details here.

LIBRARIES

Cleveland Public Library: Main Library and all branches are closed including its meal program; however, digital and streaming services, including e-books, audiobooks, movies, and music, are still available.
Cuyahoga County Public Library: All branches and book drops are closed “through April 5”.
Lakewood Public: Main Library and Madison Branch are closed, however the drive-through window at Lakewood’s Main Library will remain open for materials pickup. Patrons can place holds online, call for materials pickup and call the Library with reference questions.
Rocky River Public Library: Closed until further notice.
Westlake Public Library: Closed with tentative plans to reopen Monday, April 6.
Euclid Public Library: Closed until further notice.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library: Closed until further notice.
Akron-Summit County Public Library system: Closed “until at least Monday, April 6”.

Note: As with CPL, digital services of suburban libraries may still be available.

ECONOMIC RELIEF BY THE CITY

Mayor Jackson’s legislation to authorize the City’s economic development director to defer payment on most loans issued by the City for six months was passed by City Council at its meeting on Monday, March 23. Details of the Mayor’s plan and information on programs at the state and federal level can be found here.

CITY SERVICES

From the City of Cleveland:

“Continuity of Operations

To help ensure the safety of employees during COVID-19, the City of Cleveland is moving to an essential workforce and will not allow public access to certain city buildings. All employees will be paid as normal.

City Hall will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for limited public services. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, City Hall will be closed.

Areas closed to the public, with no available public services:
- Cleveland City Planning
- Office of Equal Opportunity
- Community Relations
- Office of Sustainability
- Office of Quality Control and Performance Management
- Civil Service
- Board of Zoning Appeals
- Board of Building Standard Appeals
- Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects
- Community Development
- Office of Fair Housing & Consumer Affairs
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Law
Areas closed to the public, with limited public services:
- Department of Aging ( some daily senior services will be accessible via phone)
- Department of Building & Housing
- Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Statistics
  - Drop-boxes are available. Birth and death certificates will also be available by mail, via phone through VitalChek or online at www.clevelandhealth.org.
  - For funeral homes, death certificates will accepted by mail and e-mail (vitals@city.cleveland.oh.us). The office will be able to issue disposition permits. The City will process requests for copies by mail or through VitalChek. If ordering via telephone, provide VitalChek the license number in order to receive the funeral home rate.
- Department of Public Utilities
  - Customers are still able to call in for account services
- Department of Economic Development
  - Limited services are available by appointment only
- Division of Taxation
  - Services available via drop box
- City Prosecutor’s Office
  - Due to the COVID – 19 restrictions, the City Prosecutor’s office will take citizen complaints involving fresh arrests only. Citizens with complaints that do not involve a fresh arrest are directed not to bring their complaints to the Prosecutor’s Office at this time. Citizens may also access online complaint forms here.

All public meetings, including boards and commissions will be cancelled. The Mayor’s Office will not issue proclamations or condolence documents to citizens at this time.

[However,] Cleveland City Council will meet on Monday, March 23 for the 7 p.m. Council meeting. Further information will be provided by Cleveland City Council’s Office of Communications.

Department of Public Safety:

Essential members of the Department of Public Safety will continue to operate at full capacity amid COVID-19 Coronavirus concerns. Members of the safety forces including Police, Fire and EMS are taking the necessary precautions in order to limit exposure and infection and will continue to do so in order to ensure that they can continue to meet the safety needs of the residents of and visitors to the City of Cleveland.

Many non-essential members of the Department of Public Safety will NOT report to work. This determination will be made according to divisional need. Dispatchers are considered essential personnel. The City Kennel will remain open to the housing and intake of animals and to adoptions in a limited capacity.”

PROCLAMATION OF CIVIL EMERGENCY

On March 11, Mayor Jackson declared a Civil Emergency effective 1300, 11 March until 2359, 31 March 2020, though it may be e To anonymously report a business go here.

GLOBAL Statistics & Resources

Johns Hopkins University: Details by countries/geography.
US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
World Health Organization.

END OF UPDATE

Cleveland and COVID-19

This page intends to serve as a central source of information on Cleveland and COVID-19 (Coronavirus). It focuses on health and on public sector and transportation issues and services (and does not cover restaurants, bars, museums, or other public places). It will be updated daily and more frequently if need be.

As the current COVID-19 threat environment is continually changing, some of the information contained here may have changed and/or new developments may have occurred. This page will be updated regularly. Please send any omissions, changes, or corrections to covid19update [at] centerforcleveland.org.