CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Clinic’s Education Institute is limiting visiting students, residents and visitors to the hospital system’s locations through the end of April over novel coronavirus concerns.
In a statement provided to The Plain Dealer, the Clinic said, “Given the fluidity of COVID-19 and the importance of keeping our patients, caregivers and visitors as safe as possible, Cleveland Clinic’s Education Institute is cancelling visiting students, residents and fellows to Cleveland Clinic for the remainder of March and April 2020. We will continue to monitor this rapidly changing situation and evaluate visits scheduled beyond April.”
Today, the Ohio Department of Health announced that a fourth Ohioan — a 53-year-old man from Stark County — tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
The Clinic also made a number of other recent changes:
Absences: Effective immediately, any caregiver diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined due to COVID-19 will be excused.
Business travel: All international and domestic business travel is restricted until further notice.
In-person meetings: Employees should replace in-person meetings with a virtual options.
Cleveland Clinic events: All upcoming Cleveland Clinic-hosted events are being reviewed to determine which should be canceled or postponed.
Volunteers: All in-person volunteer and healthcare partner activities at Cleveland Clinic facilities are canceled, except remotely.
Latest COVID-19 statistics, as of 2 p.m. Wednesday:
Countries, territories and areas with confirmed cases: 110
U.S. jurisdictions reporting cases: 39 (includes the District of Columbia)
Total cases in U.S.: 938
Total deaths in U.S.: 29
Worldwide statistics are from the WHO, and U.S. numbers are from the CDC.
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This story is being updated.