Update for community and schools regarding COVID testing, contact tracing and follow up
Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 10/01/2021 08:35 AM EDT |
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Public Health Update - October 1, 2021
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) is once again alerting members of the community that the large volume of positive COVID-19 tests in recent weeks has surpassed the capacity of the OCDPH to conduct timely contact tracing and investigation of individual cases. There have also been delays in scheduling appointments for tests, thus delaying the reporting of results to individuals and to the health department.
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OCDPH is working to increase capacity as soon as possible, but at this time, OCDPH is requesting that all Ottawa County residents continue to follow the guidelines for isolation of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantine of close contacts even if they have not yet been contacted by the health department.
- A person who is waiting for a test result should take steps to protect others while waiting for their result, such as self-isolating if possible, and wearing a mask and distancing if being around others is required.
- A person who receives the positive result should begin isolation
- The person/family should make an effort to notify all of their close contacts* as soon as they are aware of a positive result.
*Close contacts (outside of a school setting) are defined as anyone who was within six feet of the infected person for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period, starting 48 hours before the infected person’s symptoms began
- Parents/guardians of students who receive a positive test result should notify their student’s school as soon as possible
- Schools and businesses should continue to follow the guidelines for contact tracing and notification of the health department as soon as they become aware of a positive result in a student or employee.
- For information about isolation and quarantine, please visit the OCDPH website at https://www.miottawa.org/Health/OCHD/coronavirus.htm
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep all members of our community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Gwen Unzicker MD
Medical Director
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
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Ottawa County is located on Lake Michigan’s spectacular freshwater coastline where nature is cherished and protected. More than the lakeshore, you’ll find the people of Ottawa County friendly yet driven, working hard to succeed in charming downtown small businesses, at manufacturing hubs with global impact and on acres passed down from generations. We embrace creativity and believe that diversity makes us stronger. We resolve that our public services must be high-quality and cost-effective. We are innovative and never wait for someone to solve our problems for us. We are friendly neighbors chipping in, lending a hand and making sure you know Ottawa County is where you belong.
Ottawa County | 12220 Fillmore Street | West Olive | Michigan | 49460 | 616-738-4000
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners:
Chairman Roger Bergman | Vice-Chairman Matt Fenske | Philip Kuyers | Jim Holtvluwer | Doug Zylstra | Al Dannenberg | Joe Baumann | Frank Garcia | Kyle Terpstra | Randy Meppelink | Greg DeJong
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at 1:30PM. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. Meetings are held in the Board Room located at 12220 Fillmore Street, West Olive, Michigan.
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