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Two hospital systems in Cleveland are offering alternative housing for employees who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic and are concerned about possibly exposing their families to the virus. University Hospitals is using a Case Western Reserve University residence hall to temporarily house workers. UH spokesperson George Stamatis said employees at UH Cleveland Medical Center are eligible to stay at the dorm for free for up to four days.

Cleveland’s COVID-19 rapid-response fund is already throwing a $1.2 million lifeline to groups offering immigrant and refugee aid, homeless assistance, food distribution and other services. Philanthropic and individual donors have raised more than $6 million to help Northeast Ohio nonprofits weather the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release from the Cleveland Foundation.

Cleveland-area philanthropic groups have raised nearly $4 million for a COVID-19 rapid response fund. The fund initially will support nonprofits that offer safety-net services such as food pantries and housing assistance, according to a Wednesday news release. The aim is to assist vulnerable groups, such as low-income residents, the homeless and those at greater risk from coronavirus.

On top of battling the virus, those who test positive for COVID-19 say they're battling discrimination. "We know that people (who) have had this infection have been told to not come back to work," said Cuyahoga County Board of Health Medical Director Dr. Heidi Gullett who recounted hearing stories of discrimination against people with coronavirus and their families.

The Lorain County Court of Common Pleas is restricting access to the courthouse and speeding up arraignments and hearings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The efforts started Wednesday with an order from Administrative Judge Raymond Ewers and will continue indefinitely.

Domestic violence advocates are concerned they will see an increase in abuse as people are forced to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak. The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center in Cleveland is keeping its helpline and shelter open. Advocates are still at work in Cuyahoga County municipal courts and therapists are meeting remotely with clients. According to Chief Executive Officer Melissa Graves, social isolation, economic uncertainty and the lack of an office or school to go to daily make ideal circumstances for abuse.

With Ohio schools closed, districts are starting to give out free packaged meals to kids. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District opened 22 food centers throughout the district for children under 18 to receive two packaged meals. Staff members handed out 4,900 meal packages of breakfast and lunch over the first two days. CEO Eric Gordon said they are prepared to distribute many more.

A demonstration Monday planned by Cleveland’s police officers’ union was met with backlash from the city’s black officers’ group. The Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association invited officers to show solidarity for one minute at noon by flashing the blue lights on their cruisers, saluting the flag or standing with their hands over their hearts. The union said it was meant to show solidarity for those on the front lines “suffering from the devastation being caused to our community and our law enforcement families.”

It turns out Ohio's rollercoaster primary season was just as tumultuous under the hood as it was on the surface, as personal loans drove one Republican…

The Cleveland police department Thursday introduced 15 new positions on the force that it calls CEOs. Three Community Engagement Officers will be assigned to each district. Chief Calvin Williams says the officers will get to know the community down at the street level.