Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - April 21, 2020
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives remains the most important message for
residents throughout Northwest Michigan. It is important that people continue
to 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 has developed a helpful one-page info-graphic about when it is safe to
leave your home if you have COVID-19 or live with someone who does.
The Grand Traverse County Health Department reports 19 positive
cases of COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County residents. Since yesterday, a man in
his 70s died from the virus, bringing the total to 5 deaths of Grand Traverse
County residents. To date, 428 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 in
Grand Traverse County. Michigan has reported 32,000 positive cases and
2,468 deaths of COVID-19. Numbers are updated daily.
- Priority Level 3 now includes
asymptomatic healthcare workers or first responders
- Priority Level 4 now includes
asymptomatic critical infrastructure workers
People in these categories may only be tested if specimen
collection and testing capacity remains after serving all other Priority Level
1 and 2 groups. People who fit the criteria and want to seek testing still need
to contact their 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. Grand Traverse County’s three testing sites are Munson Healthcare Foster
Family Community Health Center, Munson Healthcare Traverse
City, and Northwest Michigan Health Services.
Additional data, as well as interactive maps, regarding the
impacts of COVID-19 around the world (including Michigan and Grand Traverse
County), can be found at the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.
Each agency is required to
request PPE through their respective county's Emergency Management Coordinator.
If you represent an agency outside of Grand Traverse County, please see the Region 7 Healthcare
Coalition page for all northern Michigan emergency manager contact info.
It is expected that later
this week MDHHS will begin reporting on the number of probable cases for each
county, along with current reporting of laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths.
Depending on available data, counties may list cumulative probable cases, as
well as their cumulative laboratory-confirmed positive cases, and cumulative
deaths. Probable cases of COVID-19 disease are individuals who have symptoms of
COVID-19, but have not been tested and are epidemiologically linked to a
positive case. While the number of reported
cases throughout the state will likely be higher, the real impact on our
community will remain the same, but will also demonstrate a more
complete story that the number of confirmed cases was only telling part of the
story. Michigan’s number of confirmed cases is understood to be an undercount,
something the new data will help to improve. Grand Traverse County Health
Department has been tracking these probable cases from the beginning of the
pandemic and following up with individuals throughout their illness.
Residents are reminded
having contact with people outside of your household increases your risk of
either getting or spreading the virus. Health experts continue to stress the
importance of staying home and leaving home ONLY for urgent or essential needs.
Aligning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations,
the general public is also advised to wear homemade face masks or face
coverings in public settings.
TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. Please
direct your neighbors to these information resources for the most current,
factual information:
- Grand Traverse County: For
Grand Traverse County COVID-19 updates, visit the official gtcountycovid19.com website and Facebook page. Residents can also call the hotline at
231-642-3548, view daily updates on Cable Access Channels 189 and 191, or sign
up to receive daily updates via email. All critical health updates come from the Grand Traverse County Health Department and Munson Healthcare, and are immediately posted
throughout the day along with other updates from the Joint Operations
Center (JOC).
- Munson Healthcare: COVID-19
testing results are
reported daily for each Munson Healthcare hospital in northern Michigan.
- Statewide: Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
- National: CDC.gov/Coronavirus
ABOUT THE JOC
Grand Traverse County’s Joint Operations Center has been meeting
daily to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19 pandemic since
Friday, March 13. Members include key community 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 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.
- Stay at least six feet away
from others when in a public setting.
- Replace handshakes with a
friendly wave from 6 feet away.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has assembled
a FAQ on protecting yourself
from COVID-19.
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 am - 5 pm.
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