April 8. 2020 COVID-19 Community Report
As of 10 A.M. today, the Grand Traverse County Health
Department reports 15 total confirmed COVID-19
cases, which includes 5 who have recovered and 3 deaths. There have been 249
county residents tested and, of those, 195 tests have come back negative.
Yesterday, following public health case investigations, the Grand
Traverse Health Department reported an increase in potential for community
exposure. As cases in the community continue to increase, the public should
assume there is potential for community exposure and limit activity according
to the Governor’s
Executive Order No. 2020-21. It is essential that residents continue to practice
social distancing and remain home as much as possible. Stay Home, Stay
Safe, Save Lives. Everyone is counting on
everyone else to do their part.
As a
reminder, the health department also wants to make the public aware of a
possible community exposure site connected to one of the recent cases. If you visited
the Holiday Station Store (gas station and convenience mart), 2600 S. Airport
Road, Traverse City, 49684 and went inside the store during the below dates and
times, you should self-monitor for signs of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of
breath, dry cough) for 14 days after exposure.
If you are experiencing symptoms or suspect that you may have
contracted the virus, self-quarantine and call your healthcare provider, the
Munson Healthcare COVID-19 hotline number 231-935-0951 (press 5 to access the
option 7 days a week from 7 am – 7 pm), or the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at
888-535-6136, seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
County
residents over the age of 60 in need of assistance can request meals, home
delivery, and pickup services through the Michigan Department of Health and
Human Services (MDHHS) by filling out this form or by
calling the northern Michigan Area Agency on Aging ten-county service center at
231-947-8920. Family members who live far away from aging parents/relatives
within Michigan may also request a checkup, delivery, meal or friendly
reassurance through these services.
To
date, Michigan has reported 18,970
cases of COVID-19, with 845 deaths. Numbers are updated daily at 3 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.
For the most up-to-the-minute, factual information, visit Grand
Traverse County’s official website gtcountycovid19.com and Facebook page.
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About
the JOC: The Grand Traverse County Joint Operation Center has been meeting
since March 13 to coordinate efforts and communications about COVID-19 in our
region. Members include key community agencies and partners from health,
government, first responders, education, social service, and business sectors.
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.
