Ohioans have come to dread the middle of the afternoon.
Earlier this week, the regular 2:00 PM daily online update from the Ohio Department of Health shared many of the same numbers concerning the COVID-19 virus, but did not have a county by county breakdown of the statistics shared.
Today, the new COVID-19 Ohio Dashboard was added to the State of Ohio’s official virus information page at coronavirus.ohio.gov which provides not only case numbers by county but also key metrics including the number of hospitalizations and deaths for each. More…
by: Carl Hunnell, Richland Source
Ontario police are investigating an allegation that a Pep Boys employee falsely reported they had tested positive for COVID-19, a report that triggered a deluge of local social media attention.
“We are in the very early stages of the investigation,” Ontario police Lt. Tony Grimwood said Thursday morning. More…
by Emily Caldwell, Ohio State News
During the COVID-19 pandemic, every frequently touched surface outside our home seems as dangerous as a hot pot right out of the oven. We won’t get burned if we touch it, but we might get infected with a potentially dangerous virus.
A recent study suggests that even organized efforts to clean surfaces can fall short, a reminder for us all that keeping our surroundings clean may require some additional work. More…
Note: Just updated with revised link.
As area teachers, students, and families deal with school closures and a unique way of learning for many, the Renaissance Education Department has created the “QuaRENtine Education Initiative” which will offer a variety of educational activities designed with creativity in mind.
The series, coordinated by Renaissance Resident Teaching Artist Dauphne Maloney, is designed to provide a wide range of engaging and fun theatre games, along with writing prompts and exercises, and other activities that foster collaboration, learning and creativity. Maloney, trained by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., typically conducts in-school workshops for area students, as well as educational workshops hosted by the theatre. More…
Gorman-Rupp issued the following statement on Monday relating to its operations in Ohio:
The Gorman-Rupp Company will continue to conduct business at all of its locations within the State of Ohio because it is an “Essential Business” pursuant to the Director’s Stay at Home Order issued by the State of Ohio in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Stay at Home Order is effective 11:59 PM on March 23, 2020 until 11:59 PM on April 6, 2020. More…
The Mansfield Division of Police shared an update on Monday about how the department will be handling the release of records for the time being.
Due to the COVID-19 virus and the city’s State of Emergency status, the Mansfield Division of Police Records Section has made adjustments to their operational process. These changes are being done to better assist the public with obtaining needed records during the closing of the Municipal Building. More…
by Susan Tebban, Ohio Capital Journal
As small businesses navigate the complicated environment of the coronavirus pandemic, local agencies and national companies are providing resources to guide owners through the process.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce launched a Coronavirus Business Resource to serve as a hub for all the happenings during the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio. This includes business regulations and pending legislation, along with support for businesses who have had to close. More…
As of Monday evening, OhioHealth hospitals and medical facilities, including those in Richland County, have a new screening procedure requirement.
Earlier in the day, OhioHealth shared the following:
In a letter to The Ohio State University community and issued on March 22, President Michael V. Drake shared the following:
Dear Ohio State Community:
As we start another extraordinary week, I write to update you on some of the important steps we are taking to respond to the effects of COVID-19 on university operations. More…
Richland County’s churches and faith communities are uniquely impacted by restrictions on large assemblies suggested or required by federal and state authorities. In response to those guidelines, most in-person services have been canceled.
At the same time, many individuals are seeking the potential comfort to be gained and lessons to be learned from joining in those centers of worship at a time of great anxiety. More…
by Marissa Marangoni, The Devil Strip
1812Blockhouse Publisher’s note: The following article was published by The Devil Strip in Akron, and is shared with our readers with permission. You will see some Akron-focused references here; we share a couple of Richland County additions at the end.
Do you find yourself suddenly working from home with a child in the house? Are you a stay-at-homer who can no longer escape to Target for an aimless stroll with your kid safely contained in a shopping cart? Are the seats at your kitchen table suddenly filled with new little bodies? Yes? Well, me too. More…
by Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal
Blood banks are growing increasingly worried about a looming shortfall in the nation’s blood supply. They say coronavirus-driven cancelations and closures at major blood drive sites — universities, high schools, and large employers — are threatening a shortage down the line.
As the infected population in Ohio continues to grow, the restricted blood supply represents another wave to crash in weeks to come as the strain on hospital beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment mounts. In Ohio, 532 American Red Cross blood drives have been canceled due to the pandemic, leading to an estimated 15,506 pints of uncollected blood, according to Christy Peters, communications manager for the organization in northeastern Ohio. More…
From our great friends at Destination Mansfield – Richland County (and, we have to admit, reading this list really made us hungry)!
Looking to support local restaurants? Need a place to get prepared food during COVID-19? Here are the many restaurants we know of that are now offering take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery. We will do our best to keep this list up to date, but things change fast during this crisis. Please make sure to check with the businesses for updates and follow all suggested CDC guidelines. More…
On Friday, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker issued the following news release, in which he declared a “State of Emergency” for the City of Mansfield.
That release is below in its entirety: More…
