As of this morning, Grand Traverse County has 11 confirmed
positive cases of COVID-19. 205 people have been tested who live in Grand
Traverse County. 145 cases have come back negative. The two new cases since
yesterday include a man in his 50s with a history of domestic travel and a man
in his 80s who is suspected to have contracted the virus through community
transmission. Both of the new cases are hospitalized.
Two people in Grand Traverse County who had previously tested
positive are now considered to be recovered from COVID-19 and have been
released from home isolation requirements based upon CDC guidance
specifications. They, like everyone else, must still abide by the governor’s
executive order to only be out in public for essential needs.
As numbers in northern Michigan rise, it reinforces the
importance of staying home and social distancing. This includes keeping at
least 6 feet away from people who you do not live with when you are outside.
The goal is that COVID-positive cases and patient volume in northern Michigan
remains manageable. It will be crucial to avoid complacency. If numbers are
manageable it is only because of the measures that are in place. It is
critical that we all stay the course! Local health experts, law enforcement
officers and the prosecutor’s office are working together to support, and if
necessary, enforce the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order. This may include issuing
fines for people who are violating the order.
Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing results on its website for each of its hospitals
throughout northern Michigan in the region. Numbers are listed by hospital that
provided service and not broken out by county of residence.
Michigan reported 10,791 cases with 417
reported deaths as of this morning. Numbers are updated daily at 2 pm. Many
have also recovered from COVID-19, but those numbers are more difficult to
determine due in part to unreported mild cases.
The United
States
now has the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world at
245,646 as of this morning. This is due to more testing being done in the US as
the pandemic spreads throughout the country.
For the most current, factual information, visit Grand Traverse
County’s official website gtcountycovid19.com and Facebook page. 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 Joint Operations Center (JOC)
members. Residents are encouraged to direct their neighbors to these best
information resources. The JOC is also sharing updates with traditional media
for people who do not have access to digital information.
Grand Traverse County’s Joint Operations Center has been meeting
daily to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19 pandemic since
Friday, March 14. Members include key community partners from health,
government, first responders, education, social service and business
sectors.
___________________________________________________
BASIC PREVENTION MEASURES:
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common
cold or COVID-19 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.
· Replace handshakes with a
friendly wave from 6 feet away.
· Stay at least six feet away
from others when in a public setting.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest
information is available at gtchd.org, at
Michigan.gov/Coronavirus, and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
