Grand
Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update For March 30, 2020
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save
Lives remains the most important
message for residents throughout Northwest Michigan, as the number of COVID-19
cases continue to rise. It is essential people stay home as much as
possible, avoid all non-essential travel and practice social distancing when
they must go out. The Grand Traverse County Health Department is also
requesting all residents and visitors coming into Grand Traverse County from
downstate or other areas around the county with high community transmission
rats remain in self-quarantine for 14 days in order to reduce transmission in
Northern Michigan.
As of this morning, the Grand
Traverse County Health Department is reporting 7 positive cases of COVID-19 in
Grand Traverse County residents. The
first case is a female in her 70s, with no history of travel outside of the
region. After a thorough case investigation by the Grand Traverse County Health
Department, it was determined there was no distinguishable exposure to a
positive COVID-19 case. Therefore, the investigation indicates this is community
acquired transmission. She is currently hospitalized. The second case is
a female in her twenties with a history of domestic travel. She is recuperating
at home and adhering to the 14-day quarantine. The County Health Department will directly contact any
individuals who may have been exposed and at risk.
Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing and results for each of
their hospitals throughout the region. Numbers are listed by facility, but are
not broken out by county of residence.
To date, Michigan has reported
5,486 cases of COVID-19, with 132 deaths.
Numbers are updated daily at 2 pm. Many have recovered from COVID-19. Recovery
numbers are difficult to determine because they lag behind real-time and don’t
include unreported mild cases.
The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring all US airports, including
Cherry Capital Airport, remain safe and open to the traveling public. Airports
play an essential role in transporting medical and emergency equipment and
personnel, especially during the COVID-19 health emergency. Passengers cannot
be categorically refused access to air transportation. Airlines may refuse
transportation to a passenger because of a communicable disease if the
passenger's condition poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
The
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services assembled an FAQ on COVID-19 and
how to protect yourself. If you suspect that you may have contracted the virus,
call your healthcare provider or the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136,
seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For
the most up-to-the-minute, factual information, visit Grand Traverse County’s
official website gtcountycovid19.com and Facebook
page. All critical health
updates come from our community’s experts at the Grand
Traverse County Health Department 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 trusted information resources.
The JOC is also sharing updates with traditional media for people who do not
have access to digital information.
Please note, anyone who does
not have a physician or insurance can call the Munson COVID-19 hotline number
231-935-0951, press 5 to access the option 7 days a week from 7 am – 7 pm if
they are symptomatic and seeking testing. Testing is based upon criteria set by
the state health department.
The Grand
Traverse County Joint Operations Center meets daily to coordinate efforts and
communication on the COVID-19 pandemic. Members include key community partners
from health, government, first responder, education, social service, and
business sectors.
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BASIC
PREVENTION MEASURES
The best
prevention for viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold is to:
- Wash
your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and
water are unavailable, 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.
- Stay
at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
- Replace
handshakes with a friendly wave from 6 feet away.
Information
around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available
at gtchd.org, at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus, and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
