Ottawa County Updates I June 30

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

*Today was the last Ottawa County Facebook live video briefing until further notice. The COVID-19 update bulletins will be sent periodically as we receive new information.*

Click the image to open all data sets.

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

Click the image to expand. Source: E.M Resource System

Image courtesy of Alabama Public Health.

COVID-19 is still actively circulating in our community and state

Please help reduce the opportunity for it to spread further as it has in other parts of the country. The following recommendations are to help keep you and your loved ones safe during this holiday celebration:

1. Keep it small. A gathering should be less than 10 people.
2. Meet outside.
3. Stay at least six feet apart.
4. Wash or sanitize hands often.
5. Wear masks, if possible.
6. Do not share food, drinks or other items. Have everyone bring their own snacks or serve food with single-use serving utensils.

Contact Tracing

Contact tracing is key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and helps keep you, your family and your community safe. Contact tracing is used by health departments to prevent the spread of infectious disease. In general, contact tracing involves identifying people who have an infectious disease (cases) and people who they came in contact with (contacts) and working with them to interrupt disease spread. This includes asking people with COVID-19 to isolate and their contacts to quarantine at home voluntarily.

LEARN MORE

A message from the Food Safety Team

In Ottawa County, nearly all licensed food establishments are working hard to be in compliance with the Executive Order requirements to keep their employees and our community safe. We ask you to do your part as customers by following the disease prevention requirements. If you are visiting a restaurant, please wear a face covering when entering the building and when you're not at your table. Additionally, sit six feet away from other parties and follow the restaurant’s procedures about waiting for a table. Visit miottawa.org/food for more information about restaurant requirements.

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 while camping.

Wear a cloth face covering in public places like restrooms and picnic areas at campsites, and on trails. Keep at least 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and others and frequently wash your hands. LEARN MORE

Click to play the video.

If you are thinking about traveling away from your local community, ask:

• Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
  You can get infected while traveling.
• Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?
  Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to others while traveling.
• Will you or those you are traveling with be within 6 feet of others during or after your trip?
  Being within 6 feet of others increases your chances of getting infected and infecting others.
• Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
  Individuals who have an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should limit their travel.
• Do you live with someone who is more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?
  If you get infected while traveling you can spread COVID-19 to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
• Does the state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?
  Some state and local governments may require people who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days.
• If you get sick with COVID-19, will you have to miss work or school?
  People with COVID-19 disease need to stay home until they are no longer considered infectious.

A new report in CDC’s MMWR looks at COVID-19 infection among pregnant and nonpregnant women.

Compared to nonpregnant women, pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized and are at increased risk for ICU admission and receipt of mechanical ventilation than nonpregnant women, but risk of death is similar.

Pregnant women can take steps to stay healthy and reduce their risk of getting COVID-19:

• Do not skip your prenatal care appointments.
• Limit your interactions with other people as much as possible.
• Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others.
• Make sure that you have at least a 30-day supply of your medicines.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about how to stay healthy and take care of yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health center or health department.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any questions related to your health.
• Seek care immediately if you have a medical emergency.
• You may feel increased stress during this pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

June 25, 2020: CDC Telebriefing Update on COVID-19

LISTEN NOW

CDC released new information and tools for youth and summer camp administrators on how to protect campers, staff, and communities and slow the spread of #COVID19.

LEARN MORE

Click for the state and local COVID-19 resource list

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Face coverings are REQUIRED to be worn before entering any Ottawa County building. For more information about county services, please visit miOttawa.org.

Ottawa County experienced a wide-spread, heavy rain event during the week of May 17 and declared a local State of Emergency to assist in coordination of additional resources. Ottawa County is pleased to announce that the U.S Small Business Administration will offer disaster assistance to businesses and residents that were affected by the severe storms and flooding in Ottawa County. In accordance with health precautions for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the SBA will not establish a field presence to assist survivors. However, SBA will continue to provide first class customer service and conduct outreach virtually with webinars, skype calls, phone assistance and step-by-step application assistance.

To this end SBA has opened a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center (VDLOC) to help survivors apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ and there are virtual customer support representatives available to assist applicants with completing the online application.

READ MORE

CLICK FOR COVID RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES.

Click for more information.

Tuesday, June 30
Governor Provided Update on State's Response to COVID-19

WATCH  I  PRESENTATION SLIDES

Click the image to watch.

Governor Whitmer Releases MI Safe Schools Roadmap, Directs School Districts to Develop Return to School Plans 

Roadmap includes guidance on PPE, hygiene and cleaning protocols, athletics, and more 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, a comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall. The Roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-142, which provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall. 

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Update 6/29/20 based on data from 6/26: The risk phase for Lansing has been increased to High Risk, due to the the recent 1 week increase above 40 new daily cases per million. The risk phase for Grand Rapids has also increased to Medium-High risk, due to the recent 2-week increase rising above 20 new daily cases per million, as well as the increase in percent positivity during a time of increased testing. Due to recent increases in cases, all other regions are currently being closely monitored.

Click to view the MI Safe Start Map.

Ottawa County (Region 2 of the MI Safe Start Plan) is still in Phase 4 - Improving.

Click for more information.

#MaskUpMichigan

• You might feel healthy, but the reality is about 40% of people who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic. Source. That means almost one out of every two people could be infected. They might not know it until it is too late for you, too.
  
  
• We can only contain the virus and keep Michigan open if everyone stays careful and masks up when they leave home, whether they feel sick or not. Masks and face coverings have been a helpful way to slow the spread of some diseases for hundreds of years.
  
  
• Everyone has droplets in their coughs and sneezes. Droplets also may spread when we talk or raise our voice. These droplets can carry COVID-19 to other people. Source 1  |  Source 2
  
  
• Coughs spray droplets at least 6 feet. Sneezes travel as far as 27 feet.  Source 1  |  Source 2. These droplets can land on your face or in your mouth, eyes and nose.
  
  
• But face coverings can reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 by about 70%. Source 1  |  Source 2

MDHHS Expansion of Visitation at Residential Facilities Provides Compassionate Care, Protects Vulnerable People

              Masks, other safety requirements protect health and safety during limited visitations

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon has signed two epidemic orders that provide for expanded visitations at group facilities while also requiring precautions that protect public health. The orders allow expanded visitation in long-term care facilities including nursing homes, and in facilities for youth who are in child caring institutions or juvenile justice facilities. 

Visitors to these types of facilities have been temporarily restricted to slow the spread of COVID-19. The new orders provide exceptions to those restrictions in limited circumstances as long as the facilities meet specific safety requirements -- such as requiring mask during visits. 

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Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Orders Modifying Telehealth Options and Extending Protections for Migrant Agricultural Workers  

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-138 and Executive Order 2020-137 to increase access to healthcare through telehealth options and protect migrant agricultural workers living in congregate housing from the risk of outbreaks. 

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COVID-19 Test Finder Website, Partnership with Michigan 211
Makes it Even Easier for Residents to be Tested

Michiganders can go online/call to find closest sites meeting needs 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is making it easier than ever for residents to find nearby COVID-19 testing sites and to register to be tested – whether they are internet-savvy or prefer to use the telephone. 

MDHHS has launched a new online test finder tool at Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest with filters that allow users to find the closest testing sites that meet their needs. Using these new filters, Michiganders can easily locate test sites that are no cost, that test people who do not have symptoms, that do not require a doctor’s order, or are for uninsured individuals. For select testing sites, users can schedule an appointment online.  

The department also announced it is working with Michigan 211 to help residents find test sites and register for testing over the telephone. Anyone who calls the Michigan COVID-19 hotline Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 888-535-6136, and presses 1 will be transferred automatically to a 211 operator who can help the caller find testing sites and, for select sites, schedule an appointment. 

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Governor Whitmer Creates Bipartisan Task Force, Takes Action to Protect Nursing Home Residents and Staff from COVID-19 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive orders to protect Michigan Nursing Home residents and staff from the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 2020-135 creates the bipartisan Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-136, which extends existing safety measures to maintain restrictions regarding entry to care facilities designed to protect vulnerable populations. Since it was first issued on March 14, this order has prohibited entry into a nursing home without undergoing a rigorous screening protocol designed to protect facilities from COVID-19. 

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Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Allowing Professional Sports to Return to Action

Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-133, which sets guidelines for the safe return of professional sports, without a live audience. The order follows Major League Baseball’s announcement that a shortened 60-game season would begin on July 24 with players reporting for spring training at their home ballparks by July 1.

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Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Promotes Mortgage Relief Options, Insurance During American Housing Month

June is American Housing Month and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is raising awareness about ways Michiganders can protect their homes through lender programs for those impacted by COVID-19 and through insurance policy reviews to make sure they have the coverage they need before they need it.

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