Search results for

Holmes County is home to 23,000 Amish citizens — nearly half of its total population. The county’s health department is getting the word out to this community about social distancing and COVID-19. Health Commissioner of the Holmes County General Health District Michael Derr said Amish citizens in the area tend to be more progressive, and they are following media reports about the virus and protective measures. He said his department sends out mailings with updated COVID-19 information every week to leaders in the community.

To decrease the spread of COVID-19, doctors’ offices are opting for telemedicine appointments instead of in-person visits. That’s leading to financial struggles for federally qualified health centers. “The decrease in face-to-face visits is going to have a detrimental impact on community health centers across the state,” said Jean Polster, CEO of Neighborhood Family Practice, a community health center in Cleveland.

Updated: 4:19 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Two local researchers have developed a web tool that aims to show real-time COVID-19 risk at different locations. Case Western Reserve University faculty members Fanny Ye and Ken Loparo have created an online mapping tool called Alpha-Satellite that attempts to show the risk of community spread of the coronavirus in any given area.

A Cleveland elder care center cut the ribbon Monday on a nine-bed residential wing built to serve older adults who are the victims of abuse or neglect. The Elder Justice Center at Eliza Bryant Village, in the Hough neighborhood, will serve adults aged 62 and older. The idea for the center came after surveying people who live at Eliza Bryant or use the institution's social programs, said Danny Williams, Eliza Bryant's president and CEO.

Jonathon Turner first started writing the notes to “My Black is Beautiful” several years ago, imagining it for students. But he put it aside until just recently, when the principal cellist of the Akron Symphony, Erica Snowden-Rodriguez, raised the idea of collaborating to make a statement in support of Black Lives Matter. “I'm like, wow, she's really, really, you know, really passionate about this, which is great because she's not African-American,” said Turner, leader of Akron Symphony’s Gospel Meets Symphony Choir.

Some of Ohio's long-term care facilities began outdoor visitation Monday. After nearly three months, residents in assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities can now visit with their family members outdoors. “This is such a sweet day, in my mind,” said Nancy Sutula, Vice President of Residential Services at Menorah Park in Beachwood. “Residents are finally being able to physically see their family members and spend some quality time with them.”

Updated: 12:05 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2020 No fries will be available at this drive-thru. In fact, please don’t feed the animals. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is reopening for drive-thru visits until the end of May. The zoo has been closed to visitors since March 16, but employees have continued to care for and feed the animals. As a result, the zoo has lost around $1.5 million in revenue.

Two of Cleveland’s top healthcare officials discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected health care at a City Club forum Friday. MetroHealth President Dr. Akram Boutrous and Cleveland Clinic President Dr. Tom Mihaljevic said the pandemic has rapidly changed how people receive healthcare. Both CEOs said the number of telehealth visits have increased dramatically, and caregivers are now also conducting in-person house calls as a way to help people avoid going to the hospital and risking exposure to the coronavirus.

The Cleveland Public Library was scheduled to reopen to the public Monday for limited services. But staff have been instructed not to report to the Main Library, Sterling or Carnegie West branches due to the curfew order by Mayor Frank Jackson affecting downtown to W. 25th St. Phone lines at all other locations are open Monday for calls regarding holds, reference questions and general inquiries. Materials currently checked out can be returned, and will be quarantined for 72 hours before being recirculated.

An estimated 860,000 people were set to become citizens this year — with many also expected to become first-time voters. But the pandemic has put a temporary halt to naturalization ceremonies.