Thursday, April 23, 2020

Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - April 23, 2020


Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - April 23, 2020

DAILY TESTING NUMBERS
The Grand Traverse County Health Department continues to report 19 positive cases and 5 deaths from COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County residents. To date, 479 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County.

Regionally, Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing results on its website for each of its hospitals throughout northern Michigan. Numbers are listed by the hospital that provided service and not broken out by county of residence.

Michigan has reported 33,966 positive cases and 2,813 deaths of COVID-19. 3,237 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. Recovery numbers are difficult to determine because they lag behind real-time and don’t include unreported mild cases. Numbers are updated daily.

TELE-TOWN HALL - TODAY 5:30PM
On Thursday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m., a one-hour tele-town hall meeting to address COVID-19 questions and concerns from the community will be held for Northern Michigan. Grand Traverse County Health Department Health Officer, Wendy Hirschenberger; Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christine Nefcy; State Senator Wayne Schmidt (R), and State Representative, Triston Cole (R) make up the panel of local speakers. To listen in live and submit a question, call (855) 756-7520 and dial 59754# when prompted.

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Northern Michigan Works! has launched a new COVID-19 resources webpage. Job seekers and employees can find answers to frequently asked questions about topics including, assistance with paying bills, finding childcare and information for senior citizens. Northwest Michigan Works! is the leading workforce development agency serving job seekers and employers in the Northwest Lower Michigan counties, including Grand Traverse County. To learn more, visit: www.nwmiworks.org/covid-19-resources. 

KEY MESSAGES
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. 

Health clinics across the region remain open and ready to safely serve any medical need, including general health and follow-up care. When immediate medical attention is needed, know that it is safe to call 9-1-1 and access emergency services at your local hospital. Pay attention to signs and symptoms of other health issues such as heart attack or stroke and seek immediate medical attention. Access to medical care is safe and causes no additional risk of exposure to COVID-19.

TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. Please direct your neighbors to these information resources for the most current, factual information:


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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