Ottawa County's COVID-19 Response Update - Wednesday, March 25, 2020

COVID-19 positive cases

Ottawa County has 16 positive COVID-19 cases as of 4 pm, March 25, 2020. Positive case counts are updated daily at www.miOttawa.org/miHealth. Based on the increase in COVID-19 cases in Ottawa County and around the state, people need to act as though the virus is present wherever they go in public since we are seeing community-wide spread.

Please follow ALL prevention measures

By adhering to the Stay Home-Stay Safe Executive Order (EO 2020-21), maintaining at least six feet apart from one another (if you have to go out into public for essential services) and practicing exceptional personal hygiene. Since there is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, social distancing is the best defense we have at this time. It will take every one of us to break the chain of infection! Please do your part in protecting our community’s health and well-being. We all want life back to normal and the sooner we adhere to the disease control measures as outlined in the executive order, the sooner we can resume our lives. Summary I FAQs

Only flush toilet paper & human waste down the toilet

Ottawa County Environmental Health is reminding you to ONLY flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Sewer and septic systems are not designed to have paper towels, napkins, tissues, baby wipes or even flushable wipes flushed through the toilet. These products can clog pipes, tanks, pumps and treatment systems leading to backups and even system failure.

If the backups and system failures are severe enough, the sewer water may back up and flood your home or yard with human waste. Bathroom hygiene products other than toilet paper must be disposed of in the garbage. Please do your part and only flush toilet paper. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Ottawa County Environmental Health at 616-393-5645 or environmentalhealth@miOttawa.org.

EO 2020-21 and Ottawa County Parks & Recreation

The Ottawa County Parks have closed their playgrounds. This closure is in addition to the closing of the Nature Center, rental facilities and restrooms. Local, state and federal officials repeatedly emphasize the health benefits of physical activity while spending time in nature and the outdoors, especially while many are feeling anxious by the recent implications of the pandemic.

The Governor’s executive order allows people to leave their home to ‘engage in outdoor activity, including walking, hiking, running, cycling or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household. Please use and enjoy our parks and open spaces, but do so responsibly and safely, whether on a beach, in a forest, on a trail or in a parking lot. Parks mustn't be areas of congregation, at this time. If it becomes evident that people continue to disregarding effective social distancing while visiting the Ottawa County parks and open spaces, we will have no other choice but to close them to protect the health of our community. More information at www.miOttawa.org/Parks.

Michigan Small Business Relief Program 

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The funding is divided between $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce. Funds for the program are expected to be available no later than April 1, 2020.

Visit www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19 for more information about resources for Michigan businesses during COVID-19 or you can call 888-522-0103. Additionally, the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce has great resources and information for the business community. Please visit www.WestCoastChamber.org to get the latest.

Revised Service Schedule for MAX Transit

Beginning on Saturday, March 28, travel will be reduced to a dialysis shuttle. MAX will continue to transport dialysis patients on Saturday but we will ask passengers to reschedule all other trips on a weekday. MAX Transit will temporarily modify hours of operation to Monday-Friday from 6 am-6 pm.

Night Owl service will be available from 10 pm-12 am for workers only. Passengers who need to go to the grocery store will be limited to two trips per week to allow others the opportunity to use service for the same purpose. MAX is also temporarily changing their grocery bag limit from 2 to 4 bags. Transportation to a food pantry or other essential food services will continue.