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Updates I Monday, April 7
Latest COVID-19 Update Videos I April 7, 2020
Media Contact: Kristina Wieghmink, OCDPH public information officer
kwieghmink@miottawa.org I mobile/text 616-510-8523
 As of April 7, 2020, Ottawa County has 53* positive COVID-19 cases, zero deaths and approximately 25% of positive cases have been hospitalized. Data are updated daily by 4 pm at miOttawa.org/miHealth.
We commend the people who’ve been adhering to the Stay Home - Stay Safe executive order. Your efforts are working to slow the spread!
Keep up your commitment and continue to encourage others!
Since there is evidence of COVID-19 community spread, every location should be considered a potential risk. People of any age, even those who do not have any symptoms, could be a carrier of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. We all must do our part and Stay Home – Stay Safe – Save Lives. To slow the spread of the virus, we must adhere to social distancing and exceptional hygiene to minimize exposure and break the chain of infection.
*Case counts may differ from MDHHS if a case gets reassigned to another jurisdiction.
I think I've been exposed Guide I When is it safe to leave home Guide
Stay Home - Stay Safe and Ice Cream Shops
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health food safety team appreciates the community’s concern about ensuring all food service establishments are operating safely and in accordance with the Stay Home - Stay Safe executive order. The order allows restaurants to stay open providing takeout, delivery or carry-out services. In Michigan, there is not a specific definition of “restaurant” in Act 92 of 2000 (Michigan Food Law). Instead, there are definitions of “food establishments” and “food service establishments”. Restaurants are categorized in the definition of food service establishments along with cafeterias, delis, sandwich shops, coffeehouses, bars and any other facility offering food or beverage for service to the public. In Michigan, local health departments issue fixed food licenses that covers all food service establishments.
Ottawa County does not separate establishments and sub-identify them within the definition of “food service establishment”. Additionally, there is a significant amount of overlap between all types of food service establishments (such as coffee shops selling soup or ice cream places selling hot dogs). Ice cream shops have the same license as what is typically thought of as a restaurant (fixed food license). Because Ottawa County is not distinguishing between different types of food service establishments, ice cream places are permitted to remain open providing they follow the guidelines in executive order. Sign up for food safety inspection reports. Select Public Health - Food Safety Reports & Education.
Thank you to Holly Mueller (a teacher in Hudsonville) and so many other community members for volunteering your time to sew and donate homemade cloth face coverings! To donate, visit CareOttawaCounty.com.
Homemade cloth face coverings are not considered personal protection equipment (PPE) since their capability to protect is unknown. These can only be effective when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning (soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub) and maintaining 6-feet physical distance among people to slow the spread of the virus.
Critical PPE supplies must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers/first responders and not used by the general public!
MDHHS Factsheet
 Ottawa Area ISD donates PPE supplies to county
for distribution to frontline responders
The Ottawa Area ISD is working with the Ottawa County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help meet the personal protection equipment (PPE) needs of frontline responders in the Ottawa area during the COVID-19 crisis. This is just one of many positive outcomes that have occurred from a history of collaboration between education agencies, Ottawa County and first responder agencies. Careerline Tech Center, a service of Ottawa Area ISD, operates educational programs that provide real-world experiences and training for high school juniors and seniors in a variety of career fields including medical and public safety and security. These classes use the same personal protection equipment in their classroom learning activities that area first responders and hospitals need to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE
“These donations came at a critical time when supply lines from the state and federal government were still forming and our frontline employees had a high need for PPE,” said Ottawa County Director of Emergency Manager Nick Bonstell. “Collaborative efforts like these demonstrate the strength of the EOC as a way to bring community groups with a common mission together.”
Anyone with PPE and materials, please consider
donating to help keep frontline responders safe.
- N95 or KN95 Masks
- Surgical Masks
- Gowns (all sizes)
- Face Shields
- Hand Sanitizer
- 2 or 4 oz plastic bottles to fill with hand sanitizer
To donate, contact OCEM@miottawa.org or (616) 738-4050.
Call ahead for drop off at 12130 Fillmore St, West Olive 49460
(Fillmore Complex Storage Building)
Thank you for donating!
Click image to learn more.
Use the hashtag #OttawaStaysHome on all your social media platforms and tell us why you stay home and what you’re doing to occupy the time. The county will share its favorite posts, images and videos. Be creative! Visit Facebook.com/OttawaCounty.
Click the featured image to share.
 Get Involved in Your Community
Community organizations and local partners in Ottawa County are responding to the impact of COVID-19. Most vital human services organizations remain open and accessible to those seeking assistance. Individuals may leave their homes to work or volunteer for businesses or operations that provide food, shelter and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged, people with disabilities or people in need as a result of this emergency.
- Anyone who leaves their homes needs to adhere to measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of the disease, including washing hands often and putting at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
- More information about Michigan's Stay Home - Stay Safe executive order here.
- To volunteer or donate, visit www.CareOttawaCounty.com and www.Facebook.com/CareOttawaCountycom.
Dialing 2-1-1 is a simple way for people to connect with important health, human and community services in their community. 2-1-1 is free, confidential and call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
By calling 2-1-1 or visiting ottawaunitedway.org/call-2-1-1, you can get help with:
- Food, Housing & Clothing
- Utility Assistance
- Support Groups
- Healthcare Services
- Teen Pregnancy
- Senior Issues
- Transportation
- Prescription Assistance
- Seasonal Programs
Federal & State Programs - Banking & Utility Resources - Webinars - Toolkits & More
Stay Home - Stay Safe (EO 2020-21) Violation Reporting
If you feel it is necessary to report a violation of EO 2020-21, please see the reference links below to see if your questions can be answered first. To report violations, send an email to StayHomeStaySafeComplaints@miottawa.org. Include the date/time, business name, address and description of the violation you believe is occurring. Emails submitted will be reviewed by an officer and evaluated to determine appropriate action. 911 is for emergency calls ONLY.
Attorney General's Critical Infrastructure Guide
COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses I FAQs I Factsheet
Stay Home-Stay Safe one-page summaries English I Spanish
 AG Nessel’s Office Sends Cease and Desist Letters to
Online Sellers for Price-gouging
Amazon Storefronts Taking Advantage of Consumers’ COVID-19 Fears
Four online sellers conducting business through Amazon were told to stop taking advantage of consumers by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel after her office found credible reports of price-gouging in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA). The Attorney General’s office on Monday sent cease and desist letters to the Amazon storefronts operating under the usernames: Dealz N-KY, Happy Small Hands, HotDealz73, and ZXL Distribution Group.
These actions show the two different ways the Attorney General will seek to protect consumers making purchases in the Amazon marketplace. When a seller in a different state is involved, the Attorney General can employ the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to vindicate the rights of Michiganders who have been exploited. And, when the seller is in Michigan, the Attorney General can proceed to protect consumers everywhere. READ MORE
Healthcare Coverage Available to Michiganders
who Lose Job or Experience a Drop in Income
Michiganders who lose a job, resulting in a loss of their healthcare coverage or a change in income, may have low or no-cost healthcare options available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Consumers in these situations are not required to wait for the yearly Open Enrollment Period and should act now.
“Michiganders who lose employer-based health insurance may have options to continue or replace their coverage,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. “If consumers have questions about enrolling, DIFS is available to assist.”
Consumers have 60 days after losing essential health coverage, such as through a job loss, or experienced a change in income to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period. To determine eligibility, consumers should visit www.healthcare.gov. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if they need assistance. Act now and apply
Enrollment help is available
News & Information from the State
Read all of the latest news from all state departments here.
Twitter.com/MichStatePolice I Facebook.com/MichiganStatePolice
Subscribe to State Updates
Governor Whitmer I Attorney General
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
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