3News Investigates Exclusive: Emails reveal no existing plans to fight COVID-19 inside jails, prisons at start of pandemic
3News investigator Rachel Polansky was able to obtain hundreds of emails from our local health leaders, just as the pandemic was about to arrive in Northeast Ohio. Author: Rachel Polansky (WKYC), Phil Trexler Published: 5:07 PM EST March 11, 2021 Updated: 11:43 PM EST March 11, 2021
CLEVELAND A 3News Investigates review of emails from local health officials reveal there were no existing plans to combat the spread of COVID-19 inside jails and prisons.
This lack of planning foreshadowed the vast uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 infections to thousands of Ohio inmates and the deaths of at least 77. 3News Investigates obtained the emails of local health commissioners for the first week of March 2020, just as the virus was about to strike Ohio.
Just days after the second phase of the coronavirus vaccine rollout in Northeast Ohio, officials from local health boards, hospitals and pharmacies coordinating the effort expressed concern about the possibility of demand being higher than the limited supply.
Phase 1B began on Monday with Ohioans ages 80 and older. There are no walk-up clinics, officials cautioned. All vaccines locally and statewide are being done by appointment only.
On Tuesday, the vaccine was well received when people waiting their turn applauded as University Hospitals of Cleveland began inoculating members of the general public at its Management Services Center in Shaker Heights.
âItâs been a fun day,â UH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Robyn Strosaker said of the first day of vaccinations for non-employees. âThe people are just so excited. There are cheers and clapping and this is what weâre here for.â