Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Community Update - May 5, 2020
DAILY NUMBERS
The Grand Traverse County Health Department reports 0 new cases today, 20 cumulative positive cases, 6 cumulative probable cases, and 5 deaths from COVID-19 in Grand Traverse County residents. Thirteen of the positive cases have recovered with 30 days having passed since the onset of their symptoms. These numbers and additional county statistics are updated on the Countydashboard. Full case investigations and contact tracing were completed on all confirmed and probable cases.
Regionally, Munson Healthcare is reporting COVID-19 testing results onits 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. Please keep in mind that each hospital serves multiple counties so numbers are higher for Munson Hospitals than for individual counties.
Michigan reporting is laggingtoday due to a software issue. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Michigan reported 43,950 positive cases and 4,135 deaths of COVID-19. 15,659 people have recovered. Numbers are updated daily.
CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE
Guidance for those working in construction on how to be compliant with the Governor’s Executive order 2020-70 can be found at this link from the Grand Traverse County Health Department.
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
SAFE HARBOR/GOODWILL DAY SHELTER
The day shelter will be closing on May 31. Jubilee House at Grace Episcopal Church is currently preparing to open by June 1 to offer similar services.
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.
Reminder to 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 you might spread the virus unknowingly.
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 officialgtcountycovid19.comwebsite and Facebookpage. Residents can also call the hotline at 231-642-3548, view daily updates on Cable Access Channels 189 and 191, orsign 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 resultsare 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.
