CDC Updates COVID-19 Community Guidance
On August 11, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Community COVID-19 Guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19 and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.
The updated guidance is recommended to be used on an as-needed basis, and should be determined by your individual health risk, the health risk of those with whom you have close contact and the level of community transmission where you live or are visiting.
So, what has changed? The updated guidance makes the recommendations for exposure and isolation consistent regardless of an individual's vaccination status.
- Anyone exposed to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5, but you are not required to quarantine.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
- If after 5 days, you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
- You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
- If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, but test negative, you may end your isolation.
- The CDC will no longer recommend testing for COVID-19 if you do not have any known exposures and do not have symptoms.
In addition to basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, the CDC continues to recommend following the updated prevention methods, which include:
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Improve ventilation indoors and spend time outdoors when possible.
- Move indoor activities outside.
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Get tested for COVID-19, if necessary.
- Physical distancing is still an important component of how to protect yourself and others. You should consider your individual risk and the risk level of the setting you will be in when assessing the need to maintain distancing.
"We’re in a better place now with regard to severe illness, hospitalization and death than we have been at earlier points in the pandemic. We now have many tools we can add or take away, depending on community transmission and individual risk,” said Marcia Mansaray, Deputy Health Officer. “Right now, the CDC is not saying don't socially distance, or don't quarantine, or don't wear a mask. What they're saying is that you should use the tools that you have and add them in as-needed based on your risk, or the risk in your community."
COVID-19 Vaccines Protect High-Risk Individuals
Using predictive modeling, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is anticipating COVID-19 cases will rise in the fall. Individuals who are at a higher risk for severe illness should consider what steps they should take to prepare for a possible surge of cases.
Who is at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection?
If you are considered high-risk, being up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself. Learn more about how to understand your risk here.
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
On July 19, the CDC updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, approving the Novavax vaccine for emergency use authorization (EUA) for adults 18 years and older.
Novavax is a two-dose, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that is currently being used in more than 40 countries. It is safe and effective and has been authorized by the European Union, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Novavax is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine available in the United States. It went through an extensive review in clinical trials and has been analyzed for its safety and effectiveness before being approved for emergency use. In the United States, the vaccine is currently authorized only as a primary dose, not a booster dose.
Data from the Novavax clinical trial show that Novavax is more than 90% effective at protecting against symptomatic COVID-19, and 100% effective against severe illness and death. Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain and headaches. Data from the trials show there were six cases of myocarditis in about 30,000 people, primarily among young men. The cases of myocarditis in the clinical trial were treatable and all six individuals recovered well. The risk of developing myocarditis from COVID-19 infection remains higher than the risk of developing it from a COVID-19 vaccine, including Novavax.
Novavax is another option for unvaccinated individuals. The Novavax vaccine is created using more traditional protein-based technology for vaccine development, unlike other COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States. The Novavax vaccines uses a combination of purified coronavirus spike proteins and an immune-boosting stimulant called an adjuvant (common in many vaccines, such as the hepatitis B vaccine, influenza vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine) to strengthen the body's immune response. As a protein-based vaccine, Novavax is another option for people who are allergic to one of the components in an mRNA or viral-vector vaccine.
Novavax is available by appointment at OCDPH. Call 616 396-5266 to schedule an appointment.
MDHHS Announces Additional
Free COVID-19 Tests For All Households
On August 10, 2022, MDHHS announced the expansion of its partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 180,000 free COVID-19 tests to 36,000 households located anywhere in the state. Previously, tests were only available in select ZIP codes.
All households in the state of Michigan can order tests at AccessCovidTests.org through the end of August. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211 for assistance ordering tests.
MDHHS continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here for a list of participating libraries.
Private health insurers are also required to cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan.
READ MORE
It's Time to Think About Back to School
We're sad to say that summer is almost over for our school age kids with back to school right around the corner! If you have a new kindergartner, back-to-school immunizations and hearing and vision screenings are required for entry into school. In addition, some immunization boosters are required for incoming 7th graders. This is a good time to get your child up to date on all vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccines. It's also a good time to start thinking about the COVID-19 prevention strategies your family will use as kids go back to school. Contact your pediatrician or the OCDPH clinic at 616 396-5266 for information on the immunizations your child needs. Appointments for hearing and vision screenings can still be made by calling OCDPH as well.
What You Should Know About Monkeypox (MPV)
Although this newsletter is primarily focused on COVID-19, we would like to update you on monkeypox (MPV) transmission in Ottawa County.
MPV is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. MPV is spread through direct contact with an infected person, or with material that has been in contact with the virus.
Five probable cases of MPV have been identified in Ottawa County. As of August 22, there are 131 probable cases in Michigan. At this time, the risk of MPV infection to the community is low. However, anyone who is in close contact with a person with MPV, including children, can get it and should take steps to protect themselves. Symptoms of MPV can appear between 3 and 20 days after infection; the illness typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
 
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Ottawa County Data Hub
Ottawa County publishes recent COVID-19 data relating to community transmission, counts, descriptive statistics and test positivity. The data hub is updated every weekday from Monday - Friday by 4:00 pm. View Data Hub
Weekly COVID-19 Data Reports can be found on our COVID page.
Ottawa County Case Rates
 As of August 18th, 46 new cases of COVID-19 were reported each day on average over the last 7 days, similar to the 51 daily reported cases over the previous 7-day period. These reports do not include results in people tested with antigen test kits at home; true case counts may be underreported.
CDC COVID-19 Community Level
 Ottawa County is currently in the low COVID-19 Community Level.
Where to Find COVID-19 Vaccines
OCDPH lists all of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics on VaccinateWestMi.com. Click on the calendar to find scheduling and walk-in opportunities in Ottawa County and the surrounding area.
- The Pfizer or Moderna series for children under 5.
- The Pfizer two-dose vaccine is available for individuals aged 5 years or older.
- The Moderna two-dose vaccine is available for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is available for certain individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Novavax vaccine available for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- Boosters are now recommended for anyone 12 years or older and those under 12 who are immunocompromised.
- A second booster dose is recommended for those over 50 years old and for those aged 12 to 49 who are immunocompromised.
- Proof of date of birth is required (driver’s license, state ID or birth certificate). Parental consent is required for minors. Find more details and requirements on each clinic's page.
- If you are receiving a second dose or a booster, please remember to bring your vaccine card to your appointment.
- Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.
 Need a ride to a vaccine clinic? To schedule a trip, call MAX at 616-355-1010. LEARN MORE - Kent County Vaccine Transportation Access Information HERE.
COVID-19 Testing
Need Testing? No-Cost Community Sites. Rapid antigen testing for anyone with or without symptoms (parental consent required for minors). Samples are taken by nasal swab. Results within 15-30 min. No appointment needed • No doctor’s order needed • No insurance needed • No fee • Please bring a form of ID • No pets allowed • Wear a face covering. Find locations, dates and times at www.miOttawa.org/covid19
MDHHS Resources
Vaccine Information I MI Vaccine Locations I FAQs
More COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources
VaccinateWestMi.com FAQs I Deaf & Hard of Hearing FAQ Videos
CDC COVID-19 FAQs Flyer I CDC FAQ Website
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Click to learn more from the CDC's COVID-19 Webinars and Partner Calls Videos
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) sent this update to those who signed up for vaccine notifications or COVID-19 updates. You may also sign up to receive information about other news topics from Ottawa County Parks, Sheriff’s Office and more. See the end of this email to make any changes to your subscription preferences.
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