Virus Shutdown Led To NE Ohio Man’s Addiction Death, Mom Says

METRO CLEVELAND, OH — North Royalton native Ricky Pratt isn’t officially listed among the 18,000-plus Ohioans who have died of the coronavirus, but his mother says he also is a fatal victim of the pandemic.

Rosemary Pratt told WKYC her 28-year-old son was doing well just before the pandemic began. He had overcome an opioid addiction, worked as a union laborer and enjoyed attending concerts and working out at the gym. That all changed when the pandemic hit and he was forced to become a hermit, his mother told the news station.

“He was scared,” Rosemary Pratt said. “It really bothered him, and the news would show what was happening in Italy and France, and he said he couldn’t watch it.”

Ricky Pratt’s body was found by his father in his apartment one Saturday morning in May. Ricky had died of a fentanyl overdose after an apparent relapse.

"Ricky's death was Covid," Rosemary said. "If Covid wouldn't have happened, my son would soon be here without a doubt." Read more from WKYC

Lung Transplants Performed On COVID-19 Patients At Ohio State

Four lung transplant surgeries have been performed on people who have recovered from the coronavirus by doctors at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The first of the four successful transplants occurred in December on a 40-year-old Enon, Ohio, man who has since been discharged and is doing well, doctors have said. Two of the others who have undergone the surgery have also been released, while a third remains in the hospital recovering. Read more from Cleveland.com

Metro Cleveland Headlines:

Hudson High Students’ Photos Used By South Dakota Governor On Transphobic Website: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem used the photos on her anti-transgender website titled “Defend Title IX Now” without permission and has since taken them down, via Cleveland.com

44 Ohio Residents Monitored For Possible Ebola Exposure: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said health officials are evaluating the group that visited Africa recently, but their chances of actually contracting the virus is low, via Cleveland Patch

United Expands Flights From Cleveland-Hopkins: United Airlines has expanded nonstop flights from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport to five vacation destinations, via Cleveland19.com

“His music will be there for us, but when people travel here from all over the world, and they walk in our exhibits, they’re going to know his story, and they’re going to see his guitars.”

— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Greg Harris, on Michael Stanley Day in Cleveland and Youngstown

SPORTS TALK: The Cleveland Cavaliers opened up a four-game road trip on a good note, picking up a 103-94 win over the Bulls in Chicago on Wednesday night. They will be in action again Friday night in Los Angeles against the Lakers, who are currently playing without LeBron James.

The Cavs were active just before the NBA trade deadline, dealing backup center JaVale McGee to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Isaiah Hartenstein and two second-round draft picks.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Windstorm

LET’S MAKE PLANS: A murder mystery dinner show is planned Saturday night for the Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square.

• “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” will mark the anniversary of the legendary “Abbey Road” album release with a show Friday night at the KeyBank State Theatre.
• The “Orchids Forever” show at the Cleveland Botanical Garden opens Friday and runs through April 11.

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