Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
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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:
What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Can people in the U.S. get COVID-19? Yes. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of the United States. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Learn more about places with ongoing spread here.
Have there been cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.? Yes. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020. The current count of cases of COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage here.
How does COVID-19 spread? The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses here.
Download and read the CDC's full "What you need to know about coronavirus disease (COVID-19)" information sheet here.
Global case numbers are reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation report.
Coronavirus in Ohio:
The interactive map shows the locations of positive COVID-19 cases in Ohio, as of the latest update from ODH, which typically occurs after 2 p.m.
This map shows where coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in Ohio:
This chart shows the number of cases in Ohio each day, showing the curve in "flatten the curve":
See more data visualizations here, including maps and charts specific to counties in our area.
Rebound Northeast Ohio
The Rebound: Northeast Ohio, is News 5's initiative to help people through the financial impact of the coronavirus by offering one place to go for information on everything available to help and how to access it. We're providing resources on:
Getting Back to Work - Learn about the latest job openings, how to file for benefits and succeed in the job market.
Making Ends Meet - Find help on topics from rent to food to new belt-tightening techniques.
Managing the Stress - Feeling isolated or frustrated? Learn ways to connect with people virtually, get counseling or manage your stress.
Doing What's Right - Keep track of the way people are spending your tax dollars and treating your community.
We're Open
In a time when we can't all gather around a table, we can still come together as a community. We're Open! Northeast Ohio is a place to open us up to new ways of thinking, new ways of gathering and new ways of supporting each other. #OpenNEOhio
We're Open main page - see the latest stories, and submit your own story of a local business supporting their community here.
We're Open Northeast Ohio Facebook Group - join our group to stay informed about what local businesses in Northeast Ohio are doing to help their community during this time.
We're Open Essential Business Database - view a searchable database of essential businesses that are still open and serving customers.
Submit a business- use this form to submit a business to our database.
Economic Impact Payment
The federal government began distributing a $1,200 payment to millions of Americans in mid-April.
Here's everything you need to know to check the status of your payment and set up direct deposit of the payment.
Have you not gotten your payment yet? You're not alone. Find out more here.
Face masks
The CDC and the Ohio Department of Health are now recommending that everyone where face masks when out in public to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Find out how to make your own face masks here, without having to know how to sew.
View guidance on how to properly wear a face mask, whether it is surgical or home made.
Governor's Orders
Since Wednesday, March 11, Governor Mike DeWine has issued the following orders:
-A limit on visits to nursing homes and an order to hold sporting events without spectators. Since that time, almost all professional, college and high school sporting events have cancelled, and DeWine issued an order restricting all visitors to nursing homes and assisted care facilities, with exemptions for end-of-life care.
-A prohibition on "mass gatherings" of over 100 people. Another order on March 16 reduced gathering size to 50 people, per the CDC's current guidance.
-An order to close all Ohio K-12 schools for three weeks beginning at the end of the school day on Monday, March 16.
-On March 13, DeWine announced several new steps the state is taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus and provide relief to Ohio's residents, including an order stopping visitations at county jails, providing free breakfasts and lunches to Ohio's K-12 students, and a request to the Trump administration for regulatory and other relief as necessary.
-On March 15, DeWine ordered that all bars and restaurants in Ohio close, and serve customers through carry-out and delivery only.
-On March 16, DeWine announced his recommendation that the Primary Election on March 17 be postponed to June 2, and that mail-in absentee voting be extended. Secretary of State Frank LaRose supported the recommendation. A lawsuit was filed but rejected by Franklin County Judge Richard Frye. Mere hours before polls would have opened, Ohio Dept. of Health Director Amy Acton ordered the polls closed as a public health emergency.
-On March 18, DeWine issued orders closing all but five Ohio BMV locations, as well as all barbershops, hair dressers, nail salons and tattoo parlors.
-On March 18, DeWine also signed a proclamation activating 300 Ohio National Guard soldiers to assist in distributing food at food banks across the state.
-On March 20, DeWine issued an order closing various senior centers.
-On March 22, DeWine issued his most sweeping order to date: a stay-at-home order for all Ohioans. Residents are ordered not to leave their homes, except for essential business.
-On March 30, DeWine extended the statewide closure of all K-12 schoolsuntil at least May 1.
-On April 7, the state's Liquor Control Board issued an order allowing restaurants to sell and deliver prepackaged alcoholic beverages with meals.
-On April 17, the governor announced plans to begin gradually reopening the state on May 1.
Symptoms
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.
Travel
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 the CDC COVID-19 Travel Information Page
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 spreading
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water/use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in between
Don’t share cups, spoons, forks, etc. with anyone
Don’t make food for anyone if you are sick
Don’t go to work or school if you are sick
Visit a doctor, urgent care or emergency department if you are sick – don’t take chances
Please contact your medical provider with any questions.
Guidance for those with compromised immune systems
Click here for specific guidance from the CCBH for anyone at higher risk for becoming ill.
Additional Resources
Cuyahoga County: See the CCBH page on coronavirus here.
Ohio Department of Health:
Click here for the Ohio Department of Health’s Coronavirus information page.
It is updated daily at 2 p.m. with the current number of confirmed cases, persons under investigation and persons under investigation who tested negative for the disease.
More resources from ODH:
Fact sheet
Prevention infographic
Resources and information
Ohio Secretary of State:
Corona Facts: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has launched a web page dedicated to providing facts about coronavirus' impacts on voting and the Primary Election in Ohio.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Homepage for COVID-19 materials and information
What you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19
If you are sick with COVID-19 – English
Preventing spread of COVID-19 at election/polling/voting locations
World Health Organization
Coronavirus information
Mythbusters – the truth about food, packages, pets and other things related to COVID-19
Video – What is COVID-19?
Video – What is my risk of getting COVID-19?
Video – How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
