The latest on the Corona Virus pandemic…
There are now 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, in 24 counties, including 1 now in Richland County; that’s as of Thursday afternoon.
Huron County has 1 case, Lorain County has 6 and Medina County has 5 cases.
The Ohio Department of Health is investigating what could be the state’s first death from the Corona Virus. A 76-year-old man has died in Lucas County in northwest Ohio.
There are 33 hospitalizations associated with the Corona Virus in Ohio.
A few news and notes from Governor Mike DeWine’s news conference on Thursday…
He addressed rumors involving the Ohio National Guard; saying that the National Guard is NOT involved in carrying weapons; but they may be carrying groceries…and that all rumors about quarantining everyone in Ohio in their homes and martial law are not true.
DeWine said he wanted to assure everyone that the grocery supply chain is going well; and that food is not going to run out at the grocery store.
The governor advised those returning from spring break to remain in their homes and that if anyone is thinking about traveling to please reconsider.
DeWine is advising everyone to fly their American flags during this time.
In other Corona Virus-related news…
Beginning today, Fisher-Titus Medical Center is updating their visitor restrictions to include the screening of everyone who enters the building, including visitors, vendors, and staff that includes a temperature check…and that each patient will be permitted one visitor per day.
As for overseas travel…the CDC has not banned it, but strongly recommends against it.
The City of Sandusky is highly encouraging citizens to not attend Monday’s City Commission meeting unless they feel it is absolutely necessary.
Governor Mike DeWine today announced that he has signed an executive order to expand and enhance Telehealth options for Ohio Medicaid recipients and their providers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
California’s governor is telling residents,stay home until further notice. He says, more than 50-percent of those who live in California will come down with the Corona Virus within 3 weeks if they don’t stay home.
The Ariel on Broadway Hotel in downtown Lorain has closed until further notice due to cancellations and government restrictions on crowds.
Officials from Lorain County Community College have announced; they are moving to remote course delivery for the remainder of the spring session.
Ohio University, the University of Akron, and Youngstown State University…the latest schools to delay or cancel graduation ceremonies…
All O-S-U Extension Offices are now closed, with employees working remotely.
More and more retailers…large and small…are suspending their in-store operations, including IKEA and locally, Malley’s…
St. Peter Lutheran Church in Norwalk is hosting a free drive-thru community soup lunch on Saturday at 11:00 am until all soup is gone.
Due to high volume of calls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is asking residents to use their website to apply for unemployment benefits.
That website… unemployment.ohio.gov
They have received more than 100,000 applications since Sunday.
The Huron County Chamber of Commerce has launched a COVID-19 online resource center.
The site contains live social media posts and website links related to the Corona Virus pandemic; along with lists of local restaurants who remain open and specific times for senior shopping hours in the community.
The site can be found at www.huroncountycovid.com.
A bridge replacement project is scheduled to be underway now in Sandusky.
It results in Columbus Avenue being closed between Bell Avenue and KIng Street until further notice.
Two road closings to report in Huron County…
Williams Road, between Mead Road and Route 20 near Peru and Bronson Townships, is now closed for a bridge replacement; and will remain closed for around 12 weeks
Ridge Road, between Peru Olena Road and Town Line Road 131 West in Lyme Township, will be closed starting Monday for approximately 90 days for a bridge replacement project.
From the National Weather Service…
Today
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, breezy.
Temperatures falling to around 49 by 5:00 pm.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Saturday
Partly cloudy, with a high near 33.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.