DAILY NUMBERS
The Grand Traverse County Health Department continues to report 19 positive cases, 6 probable cases, and 5 deaths from COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County residents. Probable cases are individuals that have been directly linked epidemiologically to a confirmed case and have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19, but were not tested. The six probable cases are household contacts of confirmed cases who then developed symptoms. Full case investigations and contact tracing was completed on all confirmed and probable cases.
Regionally, Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing results onits 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 reported38,210 positive cases and 3,407 deaths of COVID-19. 8,342 Michiganders have recovered. Numbers are updated daily.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Yesterday, the City of Traverse City opened park bathrooms at East Bay Park, Bryant Park, Senior Center (outdoor restrooms), Clinch Park, and West End for the season. Hours will be 7:30am - 8:30pm. Each location will be cleaned, sanitized, and restocked nightly. Hand cleaning products are supplied in all of these public restrooms.
COMMUNITY NEEDS
The Women’s Resource Center’s Emergency Shelter is in need of diapers and women’s personal care products. Information on specifics and how to deliver or ship items is available on the Women’s Resource Center Facebook page.
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. People are required to wear cloth face coverings - homemade masks, scarves, or bandanas - when they enter enclosed public spaces. This past Friday, Governor Whitmer extended the Stay Home, Stay SafeExecutive Order through May 15. The new order allows residents to travel between residences if they own more than one home in Michigan, but strongly discourages people from doing so unless it is absolutely necessary. Residents who travel to other residences are encouraged to avoid local grocery stores and continue practicing social distancing during their visits. 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.
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 officialgtcountycovid19.comwebsite and Facebookpage. Residents can also call the hotline at 231-642-3548, view daily updates on Cable Access Channels 189 and 191, orsign 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 resultsare 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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