Ottawa County's COVID-19 Response Updates - Thursday, April 23, 2020

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 04/23/2020 10:38 PM EDT

Ottawa County I Thursday, April 23

Latest Video Update
Media Contact: Kristina Wieghmink, OCDPH public information officer
kwieghmink@miottawa.org I mobile/text 616-510-8523

One additional death has been reported in Ottawa County. A female in her 90s with underlying health conditions who was a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive case. Our thoughts go out to those mourning the loss of their loved one.

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

The dashboard information is updated daily by 4 pm, with COVID-19 results included as of 2 pm from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Cases confirmed after 2 pm and those reassigned to or from different jurisdictions are included in the following day's dashboard updates. The confirmed case count reflects the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases ever reported to the Ottawa County Department of Public Health for COVID-19. Similarly, the hospitalization statistic reflects the percentage of confirmed cases who have ever been hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ottawa County. Recovered cases include those who are alive 30 days past disease onset.

Stay Healthy When Running Essential Errands

Michigan still has the Stay Home – Stay Safe executive order in effect to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) that includes avoiding travel, needless shopping trips and social visits. In other words, do not leave home unless you must. Below are some tips to stay healthy when running essential errands to places like grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants to pick up takeout and the doctor’s office. These tips are useful now and as we ease back into reopening businesses.

Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Takeout and Doctor Visits

Send only one person, and that person should wear a cloth face covering.
Avoid busy shopping hours. Often, midday on the weekends is the busiest.
Use the drive-thru windows and curbside pick-up, if available.
Keep a safe physical distance of at least 6 feet between you and other customers and employees in stores and restaurants.
Disinfect your shopping carts with a wipe.
Use touchless payment, if possible.
Sanitize your hands when you leave the store.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.
Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home that came into contact with your groceries or grocery bags.
Talk to your doctor about getting prescription supplies that last longer and use mail-order, if possible.
Use home delivery for groceries, prescriptions and take-out, which are the safest options, though it may not be available to everyone.

**Please note many scammers have been calling seniors, posing as United Way volunteers and taking money for shopping. If you did not call 2-1-1 or an established local agency for assistance, you are not getting help from United Way and there is a strong possibility it is a SCAM.**

Injuries and illnesses that are not COVID-19 still happen every day.

If you cannot recover at home and telemedicine isn’t an option, a trip to a doctor’s office, urgent care or the hospital is essential. If you are experiencing heart complications or other life-threatening conditions – do not delay treatment!

You should:

Call 911 if you believe it is a life-threatening emergency.
Call your doctor first, instead of going to urgent care.
If you or a member of your household have symptoms of COVID-19, call one of the screening hotlines.
Send only as many people to the doctor’s office as is necessary, wearing cloth face coverings.
Keep at least 6 feet between you and other patients.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds when you get home.

LEARN MORE

Click to watch.

Ottawa County Parks - COVID-19 Park Etiquette

Local, state and federal officials have repeatedly emphasized the health benefits of physical activity while spending time in nature and the outdoors, especially during these difficult times. Parks and open spaces operated by the Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Commission are open for visitors. Please use and enjoy our parks and open spaces, but do so responsibly and safely. This video serves as an overview of our guidelines, park etiquette, as well as some park recommendations. WATCH

Community partners donate to child care providers of essential workers

Holland, MI - Ottawa Area ISD and local community groups recently donated toys, cleaning products, and other items to 40 child care providers throughout Ottawa County who answered the call to care for children of essential workers in response to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-16 issued on March 18.

OAISD, in cooperation with state and local partners, is working to support the Executive Order through Help Me Grow-Ottawa, a collaboration between Ottawa Area ISD and multiple other local child care resources. Tami Mannes, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Services for OAISD, said the district is working closely with the child care providers to identify needs and seek resources. READ MORE

#OttawaStaysHome

How are you staying occupied during Stay Home - Stay Safe? Why do you stay home? Use the hashtag OttawStaysHome to share and visit Facebook.com/OttawaCounty to view some of the community posts Ottawa County has shared.

Click the featured image to view and share.

In the Know Virtual Meeting with Senator Peters

Missed the presentation today? WATCH HERE

Click to watch.

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

English I Spanish

NEW

RESOURCE DOCUMENT FOR GROWERS AND SEASONAL WORKERS

English I Spanish

Click for other local resources and services list.

English I Spanish

Please call first - services and programs may be limited, at this time.

CLICK FOR LOCAL SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

Governor Whitmer and Michigan’s Financial Institutions Agree to Partnership for Providing Borrowers 90-day Mortgage-Payment Forbearance

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) today announce the creation of the MiMortgage Relief Partnership with over 200 of Michigan’s financial institutions to recognize and expand upon the measures that these institutions have been taking to assist customers to ensure that no one experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 will lose their home during this public health crisis.

WIC Program Updates

The safety and health of your family is the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program's top priority during the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). To protect all families and staff, your local WIC clinic may be closed, may have changed its hours or may be providing remote assistance. To learn more about these changes and to get answers to common questions, such as how to contact your local WIC office or obtain breastfeeding support, please review the WIC FAQ document.