Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - May 1, 2020

Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - May 1, 2020

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. There have been no new cases in Grand Traverse County for 11 days. These numbers and additional county statistics are available on a new dashboard. Full case investigations and contact tracing were completed on all confirmed and probable cases. 

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 41,379 positive cases and 3,789 deaths of COVID-19. 8,342 people have recovered. Numbers are updated daily.

DAILY JOC MEETINGS MOVE TO MONDAY-FRIDAY

The Grand Traverse County Joint Operation Center has been meeting daily to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19 pandemic since Friday, March 13. Due to these efforts, and the good response from Grand Traverse County residents to help flatten the curve, the JOC will now reduce its meeting schedule to Monday-Friday and will resume weekend meetings on an as needed basis. Urgent health and safety communications during the weekends will continue as needed directly from those departments.   

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to nearly 600 graduates at Northwestern Michigan College. Those students would have participated in commencement activities May 2, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The college cancelled face-to-face classes March 13 and quickly pivoted to online delivery to limit the disruption to learning, while keeping students and employees safe. Congratulations NMC class of 2020!    

TESTING

More people are able to get tests in Michigan due to recently expanded criteria. Testing sites have capacity and tests are available. Individuals seeking tests can call:

• Their healthcare provider
• The Munson Healthcare Covid-19 hotline: 231-935-0951
• The Michigan COVID-19 hotline: 888-535-6136 

Grand Traverse County’s testing sites are:

• Munson Healthcare Foster Family Community Health Center (priority 1 & 2)
• Munson Healthcare Traverse City (in patient and Emergency Room) 
• Northwest Michigan Health Services (priority 1, 2, 3 & 4)
• See Michigan’s COVID-19 test finder for more options

Michigan’s testing priority criteria now includes: 

1. Priority One: Hospitalized Patients; Healthcare facility workers with symptoms; 
2. Priority Two:  Patients in long-term care or congregate living facilities with symptoms; Patients over age 65 years with symptoms; Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms; First responders with symptoms
3. Priority Three: Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms; Individuals who do not meet any of the above categories with symptoms; Asymptomatic health care workers and first responders; Individuals with mild symptoms in communities experiencing high COVID-19 hospitalizations
4. Priority Four: Critical infrastructure workers, including asymptomatic workers- * only if specimen collection and testing capacity remains after serving all patient groups above 

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 when they enter enclosed public spaces. 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 official gtcountycovid19.com website and Facebook page. Residents can also call the hotline at 231-642-3548, view daily updates on Cable Access Channels 189 and 191, or sign 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 results are 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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