🌱 COVID Surge Strains Greater Cleveland + CSU Wins 104-51

Hey, people of Cleveland! It's me again, Danielle Fallon, your host of the Cleveland Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 43 Low: 33.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Cleveland today:

1. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be worsening in Ohio and the northern portion of the state is bearing the brunt of the surge. Of particular concern is the possibility of a double-barreled surge, with the delta and omicron variants simultaneously spreading through communities. Medical officials are increasingly worried about the omicron variant, particularly in Greater Cleveland. The variant was first confirmed in the region early last week but may be responsible for a swift uptick in new cases locally. (Cleveland Patch)
2. Less than 24 hours before tip-off, the Cleveland State women's basketball team wasn't even sure if it would be playing Saturday. Thankfully, the Vikings found an opponent, and the afternoon ended with the program continuing its red-hot start. CSU dominated from start to finish to beat Ohio Christian 104-51 and improve to 9-0 on the season. (WKYC.com)
3. This week, an urgent call for blood donations was issued by the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services. During a recent meeting, the board learned the current blood shortage — typical of the holiday season — has been exacerbated by the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic. The board urged eligible Ohioans to contact their local blood donation clinics and sign-up for a donation time. (Cleveland Patch)

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Today in Cleveland:

• Shaker Hunger Center - City of Shaker Heights - Food Distribution (10:00 AM)
• Ella Fitzgerald - Women in History (4:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Spend your winter break at the Cleveland Museum of Art and enjoy activities for the whole family. (Instagram)
• There's still time to donate your broken or used holiday lights and extension chords to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Lights for Lions recycling program runs through Jan. 31, 2022. (Facebook)
• Celebrate the holidays at Winter RiverFest presented by Troy-Bilt. This festive event features a refrigerated ice skating rink, appearances by Santa, a holiday shop, and an igloo dining experience along the Cuyahoga River in The Flats. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Danielle Fallon

About me: Danielle Fallon is a writer who loves using her creativity to fuel her passion for communication. She is an employee of content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.