Ottawa County's COVID-19 Response Updates - Fri-Sat, May 22-23, 2020

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 05/23/2020 04:26 PM EDT

Ottawa County I Fri-Sat, May 22-23

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

**The Facebook LIVE briefings are moving to one (1) day per week starting Tuesday, May 26 at 4:30 pm followed by an evening bulletin every Tuesday or as needed.**

We are saddened to report an additional death. A female in her late 70s with underlying health conditions. Our thoughts go out to her family during this difficult time.

Dashboard version 3.0 launched yesterday that now includes:

Demographic breakdown of all deceased cases (sex, race, ethnicity, age)
Age summary of deceased cases (average age, median age, age range)
Cumulative curve of all deceased cases and another epi curve showing deceased case counts by date of death
Case comparison tab displaying our total county population by demographic groups in comparison to our case demographics
Separate tab for cases by location with a new visualization for zip code case counts

ENGLISH I SPANISH

If you saved the 2.0 link, you will need to access 3.0 with this new URL address.

Case Summary

Case Map

Deceased Cases

Case Comparisions

Ottawa County’s weekly test counts have increased substantially over the last three weeks. This has enabled us to find more positive cases in the county. To flatten the curve we must continue to identify new cases and have them isolated and their contacts quarantined. The positivity metric displayed on the data dashboard continues to be one of the best ways to estimate the burden and trend of COVID-19 in Ottawa. Despite the slight increase in weekly positivity last week, our cumulative positivity has been fairly stable at around eight percent.

Sources: Michigan Disease Surveillance System, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress to honor those who have died in all American wars. LEARN MORE

We thank, remember and honor all those who have served!

Enjoy Time Together Safely

As Memorial Day approaches, we encourage people to keep practicing disease prevention to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection. In addition to the below reminders, for a safer gathering, be sure to keep it small (10 people or less), meet outside, have everyone bring their snacks and serve food with single-use serving utensils. Stay safe, healthy and enjoy the nice weather!

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Message from the OCDPH Clinic:

We hope this finds you healthy and well! We are continuing to see infants and young children for immunization appointments. It is so important to stay on schedule to prevent diseases when children are most vulnerable and to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the community. We are very concerned with keeping you healthy, so we are taking every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We clean all high-touch areas every two hours and before every patient. We also purposely schedule clients so there is a very limited overlap of people in any of the public areas. To make an appointment, please call 616-396-5266.

Click to Learn More about Vaccines for Your Child.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while our sites have been closed under the executive order. Starting June 1, the recycling sites will be open with their regular hours and have new procedures in place for the safety of guests and staff. READ MORE

Updated Business Guidance & Resources on Our Website

Click image to open and expand menus.

Question of the Day Episode

The West Coast Chamber of Commerce spoke with senior epidemiologist, Derel Glashower, who shared what to do when an employee tests positive for COVID-19, and guidelines to know when and how to reopen safely.

Click to watch and for more information.

Governor Whitmer Reopens Auto Dealerships and Retail Businesses by Appointment, Authorizes Nonessential Medical, Dental and Veterinary Procedures

Governor’s order allows gatherings of ten people or less, with social distancing

Thursday, May 21, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-96, re-opening retail businesses and auto dealerships for by-appointment shopping, starting on May 26. Retailers must limit shopping to 10 customers at a time. Starting immediately, the order also allows for small gatherings of 10 people or less, as long as they practice social distancing. The governor's office added the order will lift the requirement that health care providers delay some non-essential medical, dental and veterinary procedures, starting on May 29.

Businesses that the governor has authorized to reopen must provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.

Governor Whitmer Takes Action to Continue Protecting Michigan Families, Workers from the Spread of COVID-19

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-100 to extend Michigan’s Safer at Home order until June 12, 2020. The governor’s order also protects Michiganders from the spread of COVID-19 by extending the temporary closure of certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, gyms and casinos.

The extended orders cover protections for workers who stay home and stay safe when they or their close contacts are sick, restoring water service to those whose water has been shut off, the affirmation of non-discrimination policies in the provision of COVID-19 care, and more.

The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-99 to extend the state of emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s aggressive measures are working, but there is still more to be done. For instance, cases in some counties in Western and Mid-Michigan are now doubling approximately every 10 days. To continue to protect Michigan families from both the public health and economic impacts of the virus, and to lower the chance of a second wave, the governor’s emergency declaration is extended until June 19, 2020.

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Additional COVID-19 Updates on Our Website

Click to Access.

Beach/Lakeshore Parks Update

2020 has been a year like none other. Between COVID and record-high water levels, your visit to the beach will be different than in years past. Click here for information about:

Vehicle permits
Parking
Restrooms
Dogs
Beach etiquette

If you're planning a visit to an Ottawa County Parks & Recreation beach this summer, please review the information in full.

Beach Etiquette

Beaches are smaller this year than they have been in the last two decades. Prepare yourself for less room on the beach to spread out in the sand. With COVID being a concern in our community, smaller beaches have the potential to become more problematic. In addition to normal beach etiquette (e.g. no smoking, no loud music, no kicking or throwing sand at other beach goers), we have put together a list of things to keep in mind while visiting the beach:

Please keep six feet from other park users
Park staff cannot enforce social distancing – for serious complaints, you may contact: StayHomeStaySafeComplaints@miOttawa.org
Stay on park property (you can walk along the lakeshore, but be sure to set up your towel on park property, not the neighbor’s property – there are signs marking the end of park property on the beach)
Keep off the dune, do not make new trails or spots to lay your towel in the dune grass
Do not dig in to the sand cliff, falling sand can be extremely dangerous

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May is Mental Health Month

Many local organizations are providing behavioral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

This national time of observation raises awareness of mental health needs, reduces stigma about mental illness, and educates people on mental health resources in their community. In the United States one in five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime and almost everyone will face challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are many resources available to improve mental health and increase resiliency - and there are ways you can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life's challenges or their mental health.

LEARN MORE AND ACCESS RESOURCES

Click image to register.

Click for the state and local COVID-19 resource list

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DID YOU MISS THESE WEBINARS?

Ways Small Businesses Can Prepare to Lead Their Teams into a Post-Pandemic World

WATCH HERE

Getting Back to Work and Operating Safely: A Health Care/Business Update

WATCH HERE

NEW UPCOMING EVENTS FOR BUSINESSES

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Michigan Farmers Eligible for Direct Assistance Through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Effective May 26, 2020, Michigan’s nearly 48,000 farmers can start enrolling for coronavirus relief payments as part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

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Whitmer Administration Working with Michigan Counties to Provide COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Veterans

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Administration is giving Michigan counties the option of using state County Veteran Service Fund (CVSF) grants directly for COVID-19 emergency assistance to veterans and their families.

The move, facilitated by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), will allow veterans in participating counties to make vehicle and home repairs, pay medical expenses, buy groceries and personal care items and meet other needs determined emergent. As part of this County Veteran Service Fund Emergency Relief (CVSF-ER) effort, the MVAA has also teamed with Midwest retailer Meijer to provide grocery vouchers to veterans in participating counties.

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EGLE provides guidance on flushing plumbing at businesses and facilities prior to restarting operations

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is reminding property managers throughout the state to be prepared to properly flush the plumbing of facilities that have been temporarily closed in response to the state’s efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Statewide efforts to slow the spread of the virus have resulted in the closure or limited use of many buildings, such as restaurants and other businesses. This can lead to low or no use of water in these facilities. Water that sits unmoving in building plumbing for extended periods is at increased risk for leaching of metals (such as lead), reduced effectiveness of water treatment chemicals and bacterial growth.

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Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Enhancing, Expanding Protections for Residents and Employees of Long-Term Care Facilities

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-95, which extends and further enhances protections for the health and safety of residents and employees of long-term care facilities. The order expands on protections provided in Executive Order 2020-50 and provides clear procedures for facilities and hospitals to follow when residents test positive for or experience symptoms of COVID-19. The order takes effect immediately and continues through June 17.

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MDARD Offers Guidance to U-Pick Operations in Advance
of Opening for the Season

Social distancing, wearing masks, enhanced cleaning among protocols

As warmer weather approaches, so does Michigan’s U-pick season. Farm operations across the state are working so they can safely open and operate in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) outlined key protocols that U-pick operations should be implementing to protect themselves and their customers.

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Governor Whitmer Statement on Unemployment Numbers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Governor highlights urgent need for additional federal assistance

Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget released Michigan’s April unemployment numbers, when the state had reached a peak number of positive cases of COVID-19.

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