Coronavirus: What we know so far, May 24

Latest information regarding the coronavirus

The Blade
Fri, 22 May 2020 11:25:53 GMT

■ 31,911 coronavirus cases in Ohio; 2,107 in Lucas County

Updated numbers on Sunday reveal 31,911 coronavirus cases in Ohio; 2,107 of those cases were reported in Lucas County.

A total of 1,969 deaths have been confirmed in the state. View the interactive state map and charts here.

■ Counting true toll: Obituaries offer insight into coronavirus impact on Lucas County

Less than two years from the century mark, Michael J. Seery died of coronavirus on May 8, a month and three days after his 98th birthday.

The Oregon resident was in the hospital for cellulitis on his arm and then in rehabilitation for several weeks at Genacross Lutheran Services on Wheeling Street. READ MORE

■ City assisting small businesses during pandemic

Toledo doesn't have the economic development staff of a city like Columbus or Cincinnati, but it does know how to maximize its resources and help small businesses before, during, and after a pandemic.

Sandy Spang resigned from city council late last year to take over as commissioner of business services in January. She had little time to adjust before the coronavirus outbreak forced most businesses to shut down or change their approach. READ MORE

■ Lights out? How will coronavirus change live music?

A few short weeks from now, Fridays in Toledo were set to become pretty much predictable. Many were ready to start their days early and finish their work week strong if it meant by the end of day they got to enjoy a cold beer, warm weather, family and friends time, and, of course, live music.

With the cancellations of the 2020 ProMedica and Centennial Terrace summer concert series, and the still uncertain future of bars and nightclubs, local music lovers are asking the inevitable question: How long before live music returns? READ MORE

■ White House goal on testing nursing homes unmet

RICHMOND, Va. — Nearly two weeks ago the White House urged governors to ensure that every nursing home resident and staff member be tested for the coronavirus within 14 days.

It’s not going to happen. A review by The Associated Press found that at least half of the states are not going to meet White House’s deadline and some aren’t even bothering to try. READ MORE

■ Ohio prison system top in virus deaths, starts reopening anyway

COLUMBUS — Ohio has lost more inmates to coronavirus than any other state, but its prisons nonetheless must begin reopening to accommodate a slow return to business — and to crime, the prisons director said.

The department has begun accepting new inmates from jails again and must soon resume the normal process of transferring inmates when necessary, Annette Chambers-Smith, head of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said in an interview this week. READ MORE

■ 100-year-old helps others through love of sewing

At a certain point in her life, Virginia Johnson stopped thinking about her age, but her good nature and desire to help others never went away.

“It comes on one day at a time. I never really thought I’d live this long. Well, I never really thought about it either,” Mrs. Johnson, known to most as Ginny, told The Blade on Friday. READ MORE

■ Back to the wild: Wildlife park reopens – with some changes

PORT CLINTON — It’s been a while since they've seen the slow but steady line of vehicles meandering through their enclosure, but the four-legged residents haven't forgotten what it means: They know to mosey up to the open windows, nose for kibble and veggies and mug for Instagram.

It means a new season at Port Clinton's African Safari Wildlife Park. And for caretakers at the park, it means things “just feel a little more normal,” director Kelsey Keller said. READ MORE

■ Dallas Gant getting by just fine at home in Lucas County

The Ohio State flag outside the front door is confirmation that you’ve reached the correct destination.

The 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker mowing the front yard is further verification.

This is life for college football players in the age of the coronavirus pandemic: orders from mom to mow the lawn, clean up the kitchen, and keep your bedroom clean. READ MORE

■ Groups gather to celebrate freedom in Toledo, Maumee

Two events Saturday showed different angles of the community’s response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In the morning, a church in Toledo’s Old West End invited the public to decorate its parking lot with chalk drawings and messages to help spread positivity. That afternoon, a group advocating for an end to Ohio’s coronavirus-related restrictions held a peaceful demonstration on the Maumee-Perrysburg Bridge. READ MORE

- Check back for updates -

Want the news and information about the coronavirus at your fingertips? Download Blade NewsSlide for all of these stories and more.

The Blade also distributes a coronavirus-update newsletter every afternoon, which is sent to subscribers, but you can sign up for the coronavirus newsletter at https://my.toledoblade.com/profile/#preferences.

Do you have a news tip regarding the coronavirus? Please reach out to us at citydesk@theblade.com

link