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Cleveland issues civil emergency to stop the spread of coronvirus — here's what that means

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced on Wednesday that the city has issued a civil emergency to “minimize the impact, severity or duration” of the coronavirus if it comes to Cleveland.

By: Drew Scofield

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CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson announced on Wednesday that the city has issued a civil emergency to “minimize the impact, severity or duration” of the coronavirus if it comes to Cleveland.

According to the mayor, Cleveland is taking precautionary measures. As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cleveland.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, there are currently four confirmed cases in Ohio. Three of those cases are in Cuyahoga County. Health officials said the fourth case is in Stark County.

The Stark County case is the first instance of community spread—meaning that the individual who tested positive for the virus did not visit a COVID-19 hotspot. According to the CDC, community spread means the "spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected."

The civil emergency will allow officials to amend city rules and procedures as needed to help prevent the virus' spread. Officials are forming a Civil Emergency Executive Policy Group under the umbrella of Cleveland's Emergency Operation Plan. That group will make recommendations on any additional actions that are needed "to minimize the adverse impact of the civil emergency (the virus)," Jackson said.

Jackson said that the civil emergency will also allow the city to maintain a day-to-day handle on what is going on and adjust policy as necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19.

On Thursday, the city will open a Joint Operations Center that will be used to provide information to the media and the public.

Out of an abundance of caution, the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Cleveland International Film Festival have also been canceled.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Below you can find information and resources on novel coronavirus, COVID-19, from local, state, national and international organizations, including the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Ohio Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.

News 5 will continue to update this section with new information, resources, links, and more as it is made available.

COVID-19/2019 Novel Coronavirus Overview from the CDC:

“2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV/COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).”

“When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.”

Global case numbers are reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation reportexternal icon.

Coronavirus in Ohio:

As of Tuesday, March 10, there were three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio, all in Cuyahoga County, outside of Cleveland. Fifteen persons were under investigation for the disease.

According to the governor, two of the confirmed cases are from a married couple that went on a cruise on the Nile River.

The other case is from a person that went to the AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. According to a cantor from the Jewish Temple in Beachwood, 160 people from Cleveland attended the conference.

The three patients are between 54 and 56-years-old, according to officials. None of the positive cases have been hospitalized at this time.

On Tuesday, after consulting with medical experts, Gov. DeWine announced wide-ranging, statewide recommendations, including holding sporting events without spectators and having colleges and universities switch to remote learning.

From News 5 and affiliates:

Cuyahoga County Medical Director answers your questions about coronavirus
News 5's Coronavirus continuing coverage page

Symptoms

Worldwide Coronavirus Tracker from Johns Hopkins University
The symptoms of coronavirus are fever and lower respiratory tract issues, such as cough and shortness of breath, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
EPA releases list of approved disinfectants to use against COVID-19

How to protect yourself from coronavirus when flying

Think you may have the coronavirus? Here’s what to do

Travel

A state of emergency was issued in Ohio following 3 positive COVID-19 cases. Here's what it means.

Cuyahoga County Medical Director answers your questions about coronavirus
Anyone traveling internationally should review plans in advance of their trip, and check the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Information Page for daily updates and travel alerts.

Symptoms

Click here for the CDC COVID-19 Travel Information Page

Practice Good Hygiene

Symptoms — The three symptoms of coronavirus, according to the CDC

The CCBH recommends the following good hygiene practices to prevent coronavirus, as well as the flu, colds and other illnesses:
Please contact your medical provider with any questions.

Travel

Guidance for those with compromised immune systems

Anyone traveling internationally should review plans in advance of their trip, and check the CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Information Page for daily updates and travel alerts.
Click here for specific guidance from the CCBH for anyone at higher risk for becoming ill.
Click here for the CDC COVID-19 Travel Information Page

Additional Resources

Practice Good Hygiene

The CCBH recommends the following good hygiene practices to prevent coronavirus, as well as the flu, colds and other illnesses:
Sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow to keep germs from spreadingRegularly wash your hands with soap and water/use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in betweenDon’t share cups, spoons, forks, etc. with anyoneDon’t make food for anyone if you are sickDon’t go to work or school if you are sickVisit a doctor, urgent care or emergency department if you are sick – don’t take chances
Cuyahoga County: See the CCBH page on coronavirus here.