Ottawa County's COVID-19 Response Updates - Friday, April 17, 2020

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 04/17/2020 08:48 PM EDT

Ottawa County I Friday, April 17

Latest Video Updates - Public Health I County Operations I Spanish
Media Contact: Kristina Wieghmink, OCDPH public information officer
kwieghmink@miottawa.org I mobile/text 616-510-8523

Click on the dashboard to expand. Data Source: Michigan Disease Surveillance System.

NEW: 12 out of 91 Ottawa County cases have recovered.

The state has recently defined recovered as people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (after they started having symptoms).

At this time, the Ottawa County data in the dashboard are for laboratory-confirmed cases only. As the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) begins providing probable case information, many other local health departments--including Ottawa County--will display laboratory-confirmed and probable case data separately in the dashboard. Case counts may differ from those reported by MDHHS if cases get reassigned to or from different jurisdictions. More information about reporting probable cases here.

Helping Older Adults During Social Distancing

The elderly are more vulnerable to complications from COVID-19. Many people are keeping their distance from their older relatives, friends and neighbors to keep them safe. Help minimize the loneliness that social distancing can cause with these tips:

Call older adults -- family members, friends and retired neighbors-- and make sure they are doing well. A friendly voice can help reduce anxieties during this time.
Grocery shop for them, arrange and deliver a curbside grocery service, or assist in arranging a grocery delivery service.
Assist them in accessing telehealth for an urgent healthcare need. Assist in getting prescriptions and medications for them.
Provide older adults with guidance on using a new cell phone feature. This could be text messaging, video chats, social media, emails, the internet and photo sharing. Share links to videos, music, concerts, new clips, hobbies and more.
Pure Michigan virtual tours here.
Visit CareOttawaCounty.com and offer to volunteer for a senior program.

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Ottawa County Clerk Updates

Three special elections are scheduled in Ottawa County on May 5. The Ottawa County Clerk is encouraging voters to participate by mail to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Proposals are on the ballot for Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Kenowa Hills Public Schools and Hudsonville Public Schools. Those who are registered to vote in the corresponding voting districts should have received a letter and absentee ballot application by now. Take the time to return that absentee ballot application with the prepaid envelope. After you return it, you will receive a ballot in the mail. The ballot will need to be completed and returned by May 5 at 8pm using the included prepaid envelope. If you are not registered, you can still do so up through May 5 and participate in the election. Complete information on the process can be reviewed at miOttawa.org/elections.

The Ottawa County Clerk is now accepting marriage license applications by mail.

The application and supporting documents must be properly notarized. A comprehensive packet is online listing all the requirements, plus options for locating a notary. Visit miOttawa.org/clerk for the packet, call (616) 994-4531 or email clerk@miottawa.org with any questions.

Click to watch the video.

How you can help fight hunger during the COVID-19 crisis

With COVID-19 entering Holland, the repercussions of school closures and economic disruption will be felt most acutely by the people we serve. We've already seen food needs increase substantially, and as our most vulnerable neighbors turn to us to help them in a time of uncertainty and struggle, we turn to you. We can do more together than apart.

Now more than ever, we need you to join us to help ensure that everyone in our community has the food they need to weather this crisis. Please join the fight by donating or packing family food boxes from home.

GET INVOLVED

Click for the state and local COVID-19 resource list.

English I Spanish

Click for other local resources and services list.

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Agencies may have limited operations due to COVID-19. Please call or email first.
Below are some of the many agencies still operating during this time:

Need birth control, STD testing or have a sexual health concern? Have you lost access to birth control due to COVID -19?

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has nurses available by phone. They can arrange curbside services like birth control pill pickup or speedy STD testing. Our nurses can also help schedule brief in-person appointments, if needed, for injectable medications or physical exams.
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Three free clinics located in each corner of Ottawa County remain available and essential during this time. Each assesses social determinants of health along with meeting the physical needs of community members, as the network of resources is large. The anticipation is that the need will be greater in the coming months for those who lose insurance or are financially struggling. The care is comprehensive and staff professional at all three.

Holland Free Health Clinic

Located in Holland (providing services such as diabetic health, mental health counseling, vision, and hearing; dental care currently suspended, but staff available for referrals and questions)

City on A Hill Health Clinic

Located in Zeeland (providing health services, community health worker, and mental health counseling)

Love in Action Health Clinic

Located in Grand Haven (providing health services, mental health referrals, connection to food and other LIA services, social work services, referrals; dental care currently suspended, but staff available for referrals and questions)

More health and counseling resources:
Positive Options provides free and confidential pregnancy testing, options counseling and early ultrasound. Here to help women and men process an unplanned pregnancy and make a life decision. For more information, visit mypositiveoptions.org and lpcenters.com.

#OttawaStaysHome

Help us salute the 85 Consumers Energy employees who just came off a 14-day sequester at the JH Campbell Generating Complex. We were there, along with the @Port Sheldon Fire Department, to thank them as they left. Today, a second group of personnel began their sequester.

During the sequester, employees are isolated from the outside world - even their families – to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Personnel eat, sleep and work onsite,12 hours on and 12 hours off, never leaving the property. Why? To keep the power on for all of us.

We cannot thank these Consumers Energy employees enough for their sacrifices and hope this inspires you to stay home and stay safe. We all want to get back to normal as soon as possible. #OttawaStaysHome I Facebook.com/OttawaCounty.

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Virtual Parenting during COVID-19

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Step it Up! begins next week!

We hope that this program motivates you to get active and de-stress in these uncertain times. You'll receive emails like this every Monday morning throughout the challenge. Here's what you can expect in these emails:

Reminders to track your activity
Weekly prize winners
Featured parks where you can walk on your own (be sure to familiarize yourself with COVID-19 Trail Etiquette before heading out to enjoy the parks)
Healthy eating tips from our program partner Ottawa Foods
Strength and flexibility movements you can incorporate into your fitness routine from our program partner EcoTrek Fitness
Motivation & mental wellness tips

L EARN MORE I REGISTER

In the Know Virtual Meeting with Pete Haines

April 21, 2020 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (EDT)

Join the West Coast Chamber for an exclusive opportunity to hear updates from Pete Haines, Superintendent of The Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, on the Governor's current Executive Order and how our local schools are responding. There will be time for Q&A with Pete as well. REGISTER

Capital Connections Virtual Meeting with Congressman Fred Upton

Wednesday, April 22, 9:00 to 9:30 am

Register for an exclusive virtual opportunity to hear updates from Congressman Fred Upton around federal support in response to COVID-19. There will be time for Q&A with our Congressman following the update. REGISTER

Today, Governor Whitmer Provided
an Update on State’s Response to COVID-19

View at Facebook.com/MichiganStatePolice I Presentation Slides

MI Resilience Statewide Campaign: Resources for Michiganders affected by COVID-19.

Video Resources:
• Avoid COVID-19 Scams
• Tips for Seniors
• Reach out to Older Michiganders

Mental Health Warm Line:
Immediate support for Michiganders living with mental health conditions. LEARN MORE I 888-733-7753 Daily 10 am - 2 am

Michigan Virtual
Michigan Cares about the emotional & mental wellbeing of our children

Governor Whitmer and Headspace Launch 'Stay Home, Stay MIndful’ website to Offer Free Mental Health Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Stay Home, Stay MIndful website in partnership with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide a new mental health resource for Michiganders to access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic facing both the state and nation.

Starting today, Michiganders across the state can access a specially-curated collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety. Available at www.headspace.com/MI an internet connection is the only thing that is needed to access these tools to while you stay home and stay safe.

Treasury Issues Guidance About
New Tax Deadlines for Individuals, Businesses

All Estimated Tax Payments Now Due July 15

The Michigan Department of Treasury today issued additional taxpayer guidance about new state income tax return filing and payment deadlines, income tax extensions and estimated tax payments.

Under Executive Order 2020-26 signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, all April 2020 state income tax filing deadlines in Michigan have been pushed back to July 2020 as a part of continued efforts to help Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic.