Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update
- April 7, 2020
Grand Traverse County Health Department reported two additional
positive cases of COVID-19 today. The first case is a female in her 20s that
had no history of travel but did have contact with another positive COVID-19
case. The second case is a male in his 30s that has no history of travel. After
a thorough case investigation, it was determined that there was no
distinguishable exposure and that his case was one of community-acquired
transmission. Both individuals are recuperating at home.
To date, there have been 15 total confirmed cases in the county
and 3 deaths. There have been 240 Grand Traverse County residents tested and,
of those, 183 tests have come back negative.
The health department also wants to make the public aware of a
possible community exposure site connected to one of the recent cases. If you
visited the Holiday Station Store (gas station and convenience mart), 2600 S.
Airport Road, Traverse City, 49684 and went inside the store during the below
dates and times, you should self-monitor for signs of COVID-19 (fever,
shortness of breath, dry cough) for 14 days after exposure.
Statewide, the number of cases is now at 18,970, with an increase
of 1,749 positive cases yesterday. Deaths rose to 845, an increase of 118. It
is essential that residents follow the guidelines for 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. It also includes a reminder
to seasonal and returning residents that the Grand Traverse County Health
Department and Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance are recommending a 14-day self-quarantine to limit the chances you
might spread the virus unknowingly.
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 are not broken out by county of
residence.
For the most current, factual information, visit Grand Traverse
County’s official website gtcountycovid19.com, Facebook page and telephone hotline: 231-642-3648. 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. Residents
are encouraged to direct their neighbors to these best information resources.
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.
###
