Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - May 12, 2020


Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - May 12, 2020



DAILY NUMBERS
The Grand Traverse County Health Department remains at 21 positive cases, 6 probable cases, 14 recoveries, and 5 deaths from COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County residents. These numbers and additional county statistics are available on the County’s dashboard. With each new positive case, the County Health Department will work to identify and contact anyone potentially exposed. They are currently maintaining regular contact with all active cases while they remain in home isolation.

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 47,552 positive cases and 4,584 deaths of COVID-19. 22,686 people have recovered.   

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE ORDER EXTENDED 
Governor Whitmer has extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe order until May 28. Residents still must not leave their homes except to run critical errands, to engage in safe outdoor activities, or to go to specified jobs. This order allowed manufacturers to resume work yesterday as part of the MI Safe Start Plan.

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

The Michigan Air National Guard will perform a flyover of Traverse City (and other cities across the State) tomorrow to highlight frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19. Four A-10’s will be flying over downtown Traverse City and Munson at 2:45 pm, in conjunction with a similar flyover from the Blue Angels in Detroit.

The Traverse Bay Intermediate School District delivered hanging flower planters today to healthcare workers at Munson and workers and residents at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. 

Senior Project Fresh Coupons are being mailed to seniors to use at local farmers’ markets.

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:

WORKFORCE BEST PRACTICE GUIDANCE
The following toolkits provide guidance for businesses bringing employees back to work:

Grand Traverse County Health Department

Michigan Businesses

KEY MESSAGES
Emergencies shouldn’t stay home. Heart attacks, stroke, and other emergencies don't stop during crises like COVID-19. Don't ignore the warning signs. Call 9-1-1 and get immediate medical attention for what could be a life-threatening emergency

Stay home, stay safe, save lives: 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.

Reminder to seasonal and returning residents: the Grand Traverse County Health Department and Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance recommend a 14-day self-quarantine to limit the chances you might spread the virus unknowingly. Returning residents are encouraged to use store delivery services.

TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. Please use these resources for current, factual information:


ABOUT THE JOC
Grand Traverse County’s Joint Operations Center has been meeting 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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