Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

Update: March 12, 2020  3:30pm

The City of Lakewood continues to monitor the dynamic situation presented by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.  As further information develops, the City is reacting accordingly.

While there is no reason for panic, the City of Lakewood is following direction from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

In alignment with federal, state, and county guidance, the City’s strategy now is to mitigate the “community spread” of coronavirus.  To that end, the City of Lakewood is canceling the following meetings and programs through April 3rd, at the earliest:

Canceled: Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission Meeting
Thursday, March 12, 2020
6:30 PM
East Conference Room

Canceled: Records Commission Meeting
Monday, March 16, 2020
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Law Conference Room

Canceled: Keep Lakewood Beautiful Meeting
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
5:30 PM
Auditorium

Canceled: Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
6:00 PM
East Conference Room

Canceled: Civil Service Commission Meeting
Thursday, March 19, 2020
8:00 AM
Law Conference Room

Canceled: Lakewood Youth Council
Thursday, March 26, 2020
6:00 PM
Auditorium

Canceled: Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board
Thursday, March 26, 2020
6:30 PM
East Conference Room

Mayor George met with her coronavirus task force this morning to understand and address the needs and challenges each part of city government faces.  There will be several programs, services, and facilities affected by the City’s mitigation strategy, as follows:

• Lakewood’s Human Services Department is canceling senior programming and closing the Lawther Senior Center and the congregate dining at Fedor Manor, beginning on Monday, March 16th through April 3rd, at the earliest.

• Lakewood Senior Services will continue to provide non-emergency transportation through our partnership with Senior Transportation Connections.

• Lakewood residents currently receiving home-delivered meals will continue to order and receive their meals as they have in the past.

• Individuals who are currently enrolled as a congregate lunch participant will receive a robocall to their home asking if they wish to be added to the Home Delivered Meal roster as resources are available. Call 521-1515 for more information.

• If a senior has any other concerns, they can call the Senior Center for more information at 216-521-1515.

• All early childhood programs offered at the Lakewood Family Room and the East End Family Room at Fedor will be cancelled until April 3rd, at the earliest.  Please call 216-529-5018 with questions.

• All H2O after school programs and service work will be suspended through April 3rd, at the earliest.

• Breakfast with the Easter Bunny cancelled. Call 216-529-6045 with any further questions related to H2O.

• All other Human Services questions can be answered at 216-529-6685.

• Senior tax clinics will continue as scheduled. Participants should proceed to their appointment at the Lawther Center, call upon arrival, and a tax advisor will provide entry to the building.

• Any visitors to City Hall or other municipal buildings will have a sign-in sheet to preserve a record of visitors should the City be required to assist in tracking the spread of coronavirus.

• City Hall is preparing non-essential staff for remote work.

• Police and Fire personnel are currently outfitted with personal protective equipment to respond to situations involving sick or potentially sick individuals.

• All events and rentals at Lakewood Park Woman’s Club Pavilion are canceled through April 3rd, at the earliest.

• Voting at the Westerly Apartments polling location will be moved to Garfield Middle School. All other polling locations in Lakewood will stay in place.

Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton said today, “The steps we are taking now will absolutely save lives.”

With these facts in mind, Mayor Meghan George said, “I recognize the disruption to daily routines and planned events, but health and safety are my highest priority.  Any step I can take to slow the trajectory of coronavirus spreading in Lakewood is worth that disruption.”

As a reminder, the City asks that residents take common-sense precautions such as:

• Wash your hands with soap and water every two hours, and always for at least 20 seconds each time
• Practice social distancing (stay at least six feet away from people whenever possible)
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.

The City has advised all employees that they should stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including temperature over 100.4 degrees. In addition, the City has ordered hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and disinfectant sprays for all departments to assist with keeping surface areas clean, especially those that are public-facing.

Residents should check www.onelakewood.com and follow us on social media for further alerts regarding the cancellation of City meetings or events.

For the most up to date information on COVID-19, residents should visit the following websites:

• Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov
• Ohio Department of Health: https://odh.ohio.gov
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health: https://www.ccbh.net/coronavirus/

The Ohio Department of Health has also set up a call center to answer questions regarding the Coronavirus. The call center is open seven days a week, from 9am to 8pm and can be reached at 1-833-427-5634.