With today’s confirmation of three cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Cuyahoga County, I want to address the concerns and questions our residents and businesses have regarding this health issue and the operation of the City of Beachwood. It is important to stay informed, avoid panic, and take necessary steps to keep ourselves, our families, and our community healthy and safe.
The City of Beachwood is committed to making all decisions in the best interest of the health and safety of our residents, community, and employees. We are taking our lead from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, as they work directly with the State of Ohio and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is an evolving situation that is changing on a daily basis. As a result, we are continuously monitoring the information they provide. We have also activated a Task Force to make sure that in the event of an emergency, our city services will continue with limited interruption.
Communication with our residents and businesses during this period is crucial. We will primarily use Twitter, Facebook, and our website —www.beachwoodohio.com— to update the community if there are changes in city services, cancellation of events, or the closing of city buildings.
The best steps to managing and containing an infectious-disease outbreak are the following as recommended by the CDC and also the Ohio Department of Health:
- Hand washing with soap and water is the best defense against this virus. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially when returning home from work or running errands. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
- Practice “social distancing” by avoiding handshaking, hugging, or other close-contact greetings
- Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces and items (door knobs, phones, counters, etc.).
- Stay healthy: get plenty of rest, eat right, and keep health conditions like asthma and diabetes under control.
- Stay home if you are sick. The main symptoms of this disease are high fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, especially acute respiratory illness, contact your medical provider for further advice. If you need emergency medical assistance, call 911.
Be aware and vigilant regarding the source of COVID-19 information. Some email scammers are already sending messages about coronavirus in hopes of spreading incorrect information. We urge you to follow updates from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health and recommend the following sources:
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