Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - March 28, 2020
Staying home and social distancing continue to be the most important guidance as COVID-19 cases rise in northern Michigan. The Grand Traverse County Health Department has requested a 14-day self-quarantine for all residents and visitors coming to Grand Traverse Countyarriving from areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, including SE MI and any out of state travelers, regardless of whether there are any symptoms or known exposure.
As of this morning, Grand Traverse County has 5 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. 125 people have been tested who live in Grand Traverse County: 88 cases have come back negative and 18 cases are currently pending. The two new confirmed cases in Grand Traverse County are a male in his 40’s with a known exposure and a male in his 60’s with known international travel, who was asymptomatic upon his return. These cases are currently being addressed and people and places where exposure has been a risk will be contacted directly and public notifications will be sent if appropriate.
Munson Healthcare is reporting testing and results for each hospital in the region. Numbers are listed by service location and are not broken out by county of residence.
Michigan reported 3,657 cases with 92 reported deaths as of this morning. Numbers are updated daily at 2 pm. Many people have also recovered from COVID-19, but those numbers are not as well reported and the data lags testing numbers by a few weeks.
For the most current, factual information, visit Grand Traverse County’s official websitegtcountycovid19.com andFacebook page. All critical health updates come from the Grand Traverse County Health Department andMunson Healthcare and are immediately posted throughout the day along with other updates from Joint Operations Center (JOC) members. Residents are encouraged to direct their neighbors to these information resources.
Munson Healthcare isseeking donations, including new and unused:
- Disposable face masks
- Disposable stethoscopes
- Thermometers
- Disposable gowns
- Disposable gloves, especially non-latex
- Wipes: bleach or antimicrobial
- Hand sanitizer
Curbside donations are accepted daily from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. at Goodwill Traverse City South Airport location. All donated items will be quarantined up to four days.
Grand Traverse County’s Joint Operations Center has been meeting daily to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19 pandemic since Friday, March 14. Members include key community partners from health, government, first responders, education, social service and business sectors.
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BASIC PREVENTION MEASURES
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Replace handshakes with a friendly wave from 6 feet away.
- Stay at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at gtchd.org, atMichigan.gov/Coronavirus,and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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