nursing home

The nursing home COVID-19 death toll jumped by nearly 1,300 in the last week, as the Ohio Department of Health added in 4,000 unaccounted-for deaths to the state’s running total. But with lower overall statewide case numbers and vaccines, visits to nursing homes are allowed and even being encouraged.

Gov. Mike DeWine is asking every school district in Ohio to come up with plans to help students who have fallen behind during the pandemic; A Southern Poverty Law Center report shows Ohio has the second-highest number of active extremist anti-government groups in the U.S.; the Columbus police officer charged with fatally shooting Andre Hill has been released from jail; and more stories.

After more than a year of work, the Summit County Nursing Home Task Force has released its final recommendations for improving facilities. The group says many of the suggestions are already in place and intended to help nursing homes navigate the pandemic, and beyond.

Morning Headlines: Stark & Summit Rise, Portage Drops On COVID Map; UA Reports 5 New Cases

Nearly half of all COVID-19 deaths in Summit County come from one retirement community. Ohio Living Rockynol in Akron has seen seven residents die from the infection, said Melissa Dardinger, spokesperson for Ohio Living. “I do believe those deaths occurred in the hospital, not onsite at Ohio Living Rockynol,” Dardinger said.

Here are your morning headlines for Thursday, April 2:14 test positive at Parma nursing home;Cleveland Metroparks closes sites, roadsHobby Lobby closes…