Ottawa County I Tuesday, May 19
Latest Video Updates I Previous Bulletins
Media Contact: Kristina Wieghmink, OCDPH public information officer
kwieghmink@miottawa.org I mobile/text 616-510-8523
**The next Facebook LIVE briefing will be Friday, May 22 at 4:30 pm**
 We are saddened to report an additional death. A female in her 60s with underlying health conditions. Our thoughts go out to her family during this difficult time.
Click on the dashboard to expand. Data Source: Michigan Disease Surveillance System.
Residents at Christian Haven Home in Grand Haven test positive for COVID-19
Christian Haven Home assisted living, like so many other long-term care facilities across the country, has felt the effects of COVID-19. Several residents have just tested positive; one employee had tested positive 3½ weeks ago, another was tested Sunday and is awaiting results. The employee who had tested positive notified the facility immediately when feeling symptoms. The employee was not working when symptomatic and has not yet returned to work.
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Older adults and risk of COVID-19 infection
People in Senior Living Facilities and those living in congregate settings are at a higher risk of person-to-person contact and infection. According to the CDC, older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
To protect these vulnerable friends and family members, the CDC has advised that long-term care facilities restrict visitors, regularly check healthcare workers and residents for fevers and symptoms, and limit activities within the facility to keep residents safe. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health has been working with facilities in the county to provide guidance on disease prevention, identify positive cases among staff and residents and isolate those individuals to contain the spread of the virus.
Even with many protocols in place, we are seeing the majority of Ottawa County deaths happen to people aged 70 years and older.
Click to view data dashboard.
People with loved ones in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of senior living facilities may be understandably concerned about their loved one’s risk of illness from COVID-19. The effects this pandemic has had on the senior community is a reminder of how we need to work to protect others and keep this virus from spreading.
Disease Prevention Reminders
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth cover when around others.
- Keep at least 6 feet distance from people not in your household.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER:
Safeguards to protect Michigan’s workers from COVID-19
Read More I Checklist for Reopening
Ottawa County Business Response Center
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UPCOMING WEBINARS
Ways Small Businesses Can Prepare to Lead Their Teams into a Post-Pandemic World
Wednesday, May 20, 11:00 - 11:30 am. Shannon Burkel, Chief Client Officer at AXIOS HR, will outline 5 crucial considerations for small businesses seeking to grow as economic restrictions lift. These considerations are intended to help employers maximize their focus on developing people in five specific areas. REGISTER
Getting Back to Work and Operating Safely: A Health Care/Business Update
Thursday, May 21, 1:00 - 1:45 pm. Join the West Coast Chamber and Lakeshore Advantage to learn how our local health care systems and employers are open and operating safely. Learn about the current capacity and capabilities of our local hospital systems, understand what you should put in place to keep your team healthy and working, and get recommendations for healthy practices to implement at your workplace. Featuring Panelists: Allan Hoekstra, EDP Management, Ron Lewis, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital, Dale Sowders, Holland Hospital and PJ Thompson, Trans-Matic Inc. REGISTER
 May 18, 2020 - Press Briefing with Governor Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, Dow CEO Jim Fitterling, Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers, Northern Michigan Alliance Chair Stacie Bytwork, and Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Justin Winslow.
WATCH BRIEFING I PRESENTATION SLIDES
Click image to watch the briefing.
Governor Whitmer Reopens Retail, Restaurants, and Offices in Upper Peninsula, Traverse City Regions
Businesses that reopen must adopt workplace safety measures to protect employees, customers
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing for the reopening, in two regions, of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions 6 and 8, as detailed in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy.
The governor also signed executive order 2020-91 to ensure robust protections for Michigan workers as she continues to re-engage parts of the economy. This executive order requires all businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect their workers, their patrons, and their communities from infection. To foster compliance, the governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-6 to appoint a Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
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MDHHS Issues Emergency Order Reinforcing
Executive Orders 2020-69, 2020-71, 2020-91 and 2020-92
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order Monday, May 18, finding that the procedures and restrictions in Executive Orders 2020-69, 2020-71, 2020-91 and 2020-92 are needed to control the COVID-19 epidemic, reinforcing the governor’s orders and allowing for civil fines of up to $1,000 and referral to licensing agencies for violations. This new order rescinds an April 2 order that made the same finding with respect to earlier versions of the governor’s orders.
“More than 51,000 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in our state, and appropriate social distancing is the primary tool available to slow the spread of the virus and save lives,” Gordon said. “The real heroes of this crisis are the medical workers, first responders and other essential workers who are putting their lives on the line for us every day. We owe it to them to do what we can ourselves to stop the spread of the virus. The Executive Orders issued by the Governor are intended to protect the health and safety of all Michiganders. A civil penalty and potential licensing actions send a strong message to Michiganders that we are serious about enforcing these orders.”
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Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expanding Worker Protections as Michigan Reengages Sectors of the Economy
Governor also calls for the appointment of a new Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-91 to ensure robust protections for Michigan workers as she continues to re-engage parts of the economy. This executive order requires all businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect their workers, their patrons, and their communities from infection. To foster compliance, the governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-6 to appoint a Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
READ MORE
Michigan Strategic Fund Actions Help to Drive Economic
Recovery Around the State, Position Michigan for Future Prosperity
The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved a broad range of initiatives, business expansions and community revitalization projects to drive the economic recovery of Michigan’s businesses and communities and position the state for future prosperity, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.
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State Agencies Team Up to Fill Critical Food and Ag Jobs
Employers encouraged to post jobs on MiTalent.org
The Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Labor and Economic Opportunity are leading efforts to help fill critical food and agriculture jobs that are emerging due, in large part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the collaborative effort includes raising awareness of existing resources and services available to food and agriculture businesses, as well as promoting opportunities for job seekers.
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Michigan Receives Additional $35.1 Million to Help Struggling Households Pay Energy Costs
The State of Michigan has been awarded more than $35 million in additional federal funding to help vulnerable households struggling to afford utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, as radio broadcasters across the state air public service announcements alerting Michiganders to the assistance available to those in need.
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News & Information from the State
Read all of the latest news from all state departments here.
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