Cleveland COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE FOR April 6, 2020


We are still waiting for a response from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health about the surprisingly low 0.1% increase—one case—reported by the Ohio Department of Health on Saturday, 4/4. (Depending on cut-off times for reporting, The City of Cleveland alone had 15-17 new cases on that date.)

Hence, absent an explanation from the County, we no longer have confidence in the County’s data as the Cuyahoga number—and the Ohio number, which is partially comprised of the Cuyahoga number—may not be fully accurate. We are still awaiting clarification. In the meantime, we present the numbers of new and current cases by date for the City, for which we do have confidence:

coc new and cumlative.png
coc percent increase.png

And to provide some regional context, a look at the City compared to the outer counties. City data as of 6pm and the county data as of 2pm, daily:

COC and outer counties.png

Our report yesterday, 4/5:

Data questions remain. For Cuyahoga County, after day-to-day increases of over 10% per day and increasing, the state’s number yesterday (4/4) of new cases in Cuyahoga County showed a 0.1% increase accounting for ONE new case while the surrounding six counties showed a 10.6% increase with new 53 cases. We expected an update from the State yesterday or numbers today that indicated a value that may suggest two days worth of new cases for Cuyahoga, but the state showed only 45 new cases today. If indeed Cuyahoga went from

  • 12.6% growth in new cases from 4/1 to 4/2 to a

  • 17.6% growth from 4/2 to 4/3 to

  • 0.1% growth from 4/3 to 4/4,

that would be profound news—particularly on a day when NYC alone announced over 600 deaths on the same day.  Even the drop to 46 new cases over the past 48 hours (2pm on Friday to 2pm on today) is major news. But we are not certain if this is truly a cause of celebration and that a proven model of containment has been discovered for the rest of the US and world or, if instead it is only a data error of some sort or the result of a sudden decrease in testing in the County. We have written to the County for further clarification.

In the meantime, we won’t present our normal charts depicting trends for the region. However, we will present the raw numbers which why the data of last few days causes us great pause.

chart 1b.png
Data source: Ohio Department of Health

Data source: Ohio Department of Health

and the underlying raw data:

Data source: Ohio Department of Health

Data source: Ohio Department of Health

We hope to receive clarification from the County soon.

CUYAHOGA Cases by zip code released

  • The Cuyahoga County Board of Health released the volume of cases by ZIP code for data as of April 2:

Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Health

Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Health

This map and other data were part of the County’s April 3 Press Briefing. The above map is on Page 6. The County’s earlier, March 27 Press briefing with cases by zip code as of 6 a.m. on March 26 can be seen here.

A quiet street

East 4 St., Downtown: The normally bustling street as it appeared Friday, April 4, 2020, on a sunny afternoon at 4:23pm. Photo: Mark Zannoni for The Center for Cleveland.

East 4 St., Downtown: The normally bustling street as it appeared Friday, April 4, 2020, on a sunny afternoon at 4:23pm. Photo: Mark Zannoni for The Center for Cleveland.

Medina County Cases by zip code

The Medina County Health Department also released the numbered of confirmed cases by ZIP code. For 74 cases as of 4/3/20, here is their map:

Source: Medina County Health Department

Source: Medina County Health Department

Dangerous and unwitting spreaders

  • The New York Times: “As many as 25 percent of people infected with the new coronavirus may not show symptoms, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns — a startlingly high number that complicates efforts to predict the pandemic’s course and strategies to mitigate its spread.”

  • The CDC is now advising that everyone wear a “face covering”.

When is the peak in ohio?

  • In an interview with MSNBC on 4/3, Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic said that Cleveland Clinic modeling indicates that if the state is able to flatten the curve, the peak of new cases in Ohio will occur sometime between mid-May and mid-June…”this is the best case scenario.” This is notably later than the State of Ohio’s prediction that the peak of new cases would occur sometime between the end of April and mid-May. The state’s projection in fine print states it is “current as of 3/28” yet it is the projection that was released in yesterday’s (4/3) press briefing. Also of interest in the interview, Dr. Mihaljevic said the Cleveland Clinic began its preparations for COVID-19 in early January. Currently they are conducting about 1,300 tests per day.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Fatalities in the US have surpassed 10,000, including 3,000 in NYC.

  • Ohio’s “Stay-at-Home Order” has been extended to 11:59pm on May 1. The amended order can be seen here.

  • Gov. DeWine announced that he has deployed the National Guard to Cleveland (and to Columbus and Cincinnati) to assist in the expected surge in COVID-19 cases, expected at 6,000 to 10,000 new cases per day, estimated to occur in late April/early May.

  • CWRU’s new medical school, co-located with Cleveland Clinic’s medical school, at E. 93 and Euclid on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic, will be transformed into a field/surge hospital for the expecting surge in cases requiring hospitalization. CWRU: “When complete, the modified space will allow full monitoring of up to 1,000 patients as well as administration of needed oxygen and IV medications. Originally intended for more general patient overflow, the HEC now will serve low-acuity patients with COVID-19—that is, those whose condition is not so serious that they need to be on a ventilator or receive significant amounts of oxygen.”

  • Mayor Frank G. Jackson Extends Proclamation of Civil Emergency to April 30.

  • Health-care workers comprise 33% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cuyahoga County as of Friday (4/3) per the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. See Page 7 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 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 capacity is 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. Testing is available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m seven days a week. Patients should enter the garage from E. 105th St, traveling northbound from Carnegie towards Euclid. 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 testing by the Cleveland 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., May 1. This is MANDATORY, and not “guidance.” The full, original (to April 6) 12-page, signed order can be seen/downloaded here. The Amended order (to May 1) can be seen 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 hotline: 833-427-5634 (833.4.ASK.ODH) taking calls from 9 a.m to 8 p.m daily.

  • 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 (4/06): there are 89 flight cancellations for Cleveland Hopkins: 44 flights to Cleveland and 45 Cleveland departures. (Note that cancellations are for those flights that are currently on an airline’s schedule. Updated airline timetables have removed many flights systemwide.)

    • The United Club on Concourse C is now closed.

    • 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 has parked approximately 70 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.

    • American: CLE-LGA and DCA suspended for May.

    • 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.

    • Jetblue: Suspension of CLE-Ft. Lauderdale for April; schedule reductions for May.

    • Frontier: CLE-Cancun (CUN), Punta Cana (PUJ), and all other routes except Orlando (MCO): suspended for April.

    • Frontier: Suspensions for May: CLE-Austin, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham.

    • Frontier: Schedule reductions to less than daily for May: CLE-Denver, Orlando, Southwest Florida (RSW), and Tampa.

    • Spirit: All CLE service suspended for April eff April 8

    • Spirit: Suspensions for May: CLE-Cancun, Dallas (DFW), Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Tampa

    • Spirit: Schedule reductions to less than daily for May: CLE-Las Vegas, Orlando

  • 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.” 

    • Bus driver tests positive for COVID-19. Per RTA on 4/3: “The employee, an operator, last worked on Thursday, March 19. The following day, the employee presented flu-like symptoms, followed protocol by calling off sick and began a period of self-quarantine.  After testing positive for the virus, the employee was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Vehicles last assigned to this operator were disinfected by staff prior to the next day’s pullout pursuant to our enhanced cleaning protocols that were implemented on March 5.”

    • Effective March 24, RTA is suspending all Park-N-Ride and all Downtown Trolley Bus services until further notice.

    • Effective Sunday, April 12, RTA is reducing bus and rail service by approximately 15% in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Peak frequency on all rail lines will be 15 minutes on weekdays. Rail schedule is unchanged for Saturdays and Sundays. For details by bus route, click here.

  • 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. Effective Monday, April 6, METRO win run reduced service and its Contingency Schedule will go into effect—details here.

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 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is closed. Also, all Nature Centers within the Metroparks are closed. Also, 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 until further notice.

  • 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

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.