Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update
- May 15, 2020
DAILY NUMBERS
The Grand Traverse County Health Department reports the total
number of COVID-19 cases remains at 23 positive cases, 6 probable cases, 14
recoveries, and 5 deaths in Grand Traverse County residents. The Health
Department maintains regular contact with all active cases while they remain in
home isolation. These numbers and additional statistics are available on the
County’s dashboard.
Regionally, Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing results
on its website for each of its hospitals.
Numbers listed are by hospital, not county of residence.
Michigan has reported 49,582 positive cases and 4,787
deaths of COVID-19. 22,686 people have recovered. The increase in cases
includes a backlog of results from new labs reporting.
JOC TO REDUCE MEETING SCHEDULE
Starting Monday, May 18, the Grand Traverse County Joint Operation
Center will reduce its meeting schedule to only Monday, Wednesday and Friday
each week. The group started meeting daily March 13 to coordinate efforts and
communication on the COVID-19 pandemic. May 1, the group reduced the meeting
schedule to Monday-Friday due to the good response from Grand Traverse County
residents to help flatten the curve. As that trend continues, the JOC will
continue to reduce its meeting schedule. The group will resume more frequent
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
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City will be conducting a
planned 3-helicopter formation training flight today at 2:00 p.m. to honor
frontline healthcare workers. Details are available at: www.facebook.com/USCGTraverseCity. The community is asked to
please follow social distancing guidelines when viewing the flyover.
KEY MESSAGES
Emergencies Shouldn’t Stay Home. Heart attacks, stroke, and
other emergencies don't stop during crises like COVID-19. Call 9-1-1 and get
immediate medical attention for what could be a life-threatening emergency
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives remains the most important message for
residents throughout Northwest Michigan. This executive order was extended
through May 28. It is important that people continue to stay home as much as
possible, avoid all non-essential travel, and practice social distancing. The
Governor’s MI Safe Start Plan outlines how the state will
re-engage while continuing to keep communities safe.
Seasonal and Returning Residents - The Grand Traverse County
Health Department and Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance are recommending
a 14-day
self-quarantine to limit the chances of spreading the virus unknowingly. Returning
residents are encouraged to use store delivery services upon arrival to the
area. More information can be found here.
WORKFORCE BEST PRACTICE GUIDANCE
The following toolkits provide guidance for businesses bringing
employees back to work:
Grand Traverse County Health Department
Michigan Businesses
TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES
Information around this outbreak can change rapidly. Please use these 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).
- Statewide: Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
- National: CDC.gov/Coronavirus
ABOUT THE JOC
Grand Traverse County’s Joint Operations Center started meeting
Friday, March 13 to coordinate efforts and communication on the COVID-19
pandemic. 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.