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Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb to announce new city COVID-19 policy, launches COVID task force

According to a statement from the city of Cleveland, Mayor Bibb plans to announce a new COVID-19 policy 'as early as next week.'

CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above video is from a previously published story on the local impact of COVID-19

Just days into his new administration, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is focusing on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with a series of announcements made on Thursday. 

In a release, the city says Bibb plans to announce a new COVID-19 policy for Cleveland 'as early as next week.' No other details on the policy were provided.

In addition, the new mayor has appointed a group of public health experts, hospital CEOs, elected officials, and others to serve on a special COVID-19 task force. The task force will meet weekly to address case surges, review current data, and provide important information for the community. 

“COVID-19 cases are rising across the city and the health and safety of our community is a top priority,” Bibb said in a statement. “This taskforce will advise us on strategies and public policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, encourage vaccinations, and promote awareness of available resources.”

The following people will join Bibb on the city's COVID-19 task force:

  • Terry Allan (Cuyahoga County Board of Health)
  • Elise Hara Auvil (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Dr. Akram Boutros (MetroHealth Medical Center)
  • Armond Budish (Cuyahoga County)
  • Nicole Carlton (Emergency Medical Services)
  • Dr. Karen Cooper (Department of Public Health)
  • Bradford Davy (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Eric Gordon (Cleveland Municipal School District)
  • Blaine Griffin (Cleveland City Council)
  • Mark Griffin (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Karrie D. Howard (Department of Public Safety)
  • Sarah Johnson (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Pernel Jones (County Council President)
  • Dr. Larry Macon, Sr. (Mount Zion Church of Oakwood Village)
  • Dr. Cliff Megerian (University Hospitals)
  • Dr. Tom Mijahlevic (Cleveland Clinic)
  • Selina Pagan (Young Latino Network)
  • Paul Patton (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Ryan Puente (City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office)
  • Elaine Tso (Asian Services In Action, Inc.)
  • Dr. Bob Wiley (Cleveland Clinic)

Thursday's announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the area and the state amid the omicron variant. The Ohio Department of Health reported over 19,000 new cases in the past 24 hours. 

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