Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update For April
6, 2020
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives remains the most
important message for residents throughout Northwest Michigan, as the number of
COVID-19 cases continue to rise. It is essential people 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 is also
requesting all residents and visitors coming into Grand Traverse County from
downstate or other areas around the county with high community transmission
rates remain in self-quarantine for 14 days in order to reduce transmission
throughout Northwest Michigan.
As of this morning, the Grand
Traverse County Health Department is reporting 13 positive cases of COVID-19 in
Grand Traverse County residents. The latest case is a female in her 70s, with
no history of travel outside of the region. The County Health Department will
directly contact any individuals who may have been exposed and at risk. To
date, 228 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County
and 3 people in the County who had previously tested positive are now
considered to be recovered. The Grand Traverse County Health Department
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.
Munson Healthcare
is reporting COVID-19 testing and results for each of their hospitals
throughout the region.
To date, Michigan has reported
15,718 cases of COVID-19, with 617 deaths. Numbers are updated daily.
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.
A
new COVID-19 Information Hotline was launched today that provides daily
recorded phone updates to the County’s response, preparedness and resources
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number for the hotline is: 231-642-3548.
The Michigan Department of
Health and Human Services has assembled an FAQ on COVID-19 and how to protect yourself.
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 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For the most up-to-the-minute,
factual information, visit Grand Traverse County’s official website gtcountycovid19.com and Facebook
page. All critical health updates come from our
community’s experts at the Grand
Traverse County Health Department 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 trusted information resources. The JOC is also sharing
updates with traditional media for people who do not have access to digital
information.
Please note, anyone who does not have a physician or
insurance can call the Munson COVID-19 hotline number 231-935-0951, press 5 to
access the option 7 days a week from 7 am – 7 pm if they are symptomatic and
seeking testing. Testing is based upon criteria set by the state health
department.
The Grand Traverse County Joint Operations Center meets
daily to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19 pandemic. Members
include key community partners from health, government, first responder,
education, social service, and business sectors.
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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.
