Joint Information Center
Friday, Nov. 13, 2020
As of 3 p.m on Friday, Nov. 13, Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 4,123 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), with a total of 92 deaths attributed to the virus. This information is updated once daily, Monday through Friday, at www.calhouncountymi.gov.

Our community must do more to stop the spread of the virus. Calhoun County Health Officer Eric Pessell offers three recommendations that will help reduce the unprecedented spread of COVID-19 in Calhoun County, in addition to social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands. 

Pessell recommends,

  • Avoid indoor gatherings of people of multiple households, regardless of the number of people, including holiday gatherings. To reduce the number of household contacts and ongoing spread, consider meeting virtually for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

  • Avoid sports and extra-curricular activities that involve shared travel, regular close contact, and physical contact.

  • Opt for takeout or delivery when you want to take your family out to dinner.
Please watch this video to learn more from Eric Pessell about these additional actions that everyone should take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

"It's critical that we all take personal accountability and we do this together, because together we can defeat this virus. We can live with this virus, but together we have to do these simple things."
This update continues the trend of alarming spread of COVID-19 throughout our community, with over 100 cases reported per day. As described in a press release sent yesterday by the Joint Operations Center, due to the widespread nature of COVID-19, the Calhoun County Public Health Department will no longer contact all positive individuals to discuss contact tracing.

Individuals who test positive should take personal accountability for letting close contacts know about exposure, and maintain isolation for 10 days, at least. Check out this graphic for more information.


COVID-19 Testing Instructions
If you need a COVID-19 test, it is easy to find a location via the State of Michigan COVID-19 website, Michigan.gov/coronavirus.

Check out this video, where we walk you through the steps to find a testing location near you: https://youtu.be/J40Ap0GZ8gw


Government Closures Due to COVID-19 or Staffing
Due to the increasing positivity rate of COVID-19 in Calhoun County, some government offices or departments have closed to mitigate the spread of the virus.

City of Battle Creek
  • From Monday, Nov. 16 through Monday, Nov. 30, City Hall and the Police Department will close to in-person services. Staff will be available by phone and email from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit the city’s website for department information: https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/148/Departments.
  • Battle Creek Transit services continue on regular schedules, and the walk-up window at the Transit building remains open to customers from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is the only place customers can buy bus ride tickets during the building closures.
  • Full Blast will be open only to court reservations. The fitness center will be closed, and no open court times will be available.
  • Visit the city’s website for information on virtual Code and Inspections services: https://www.battlecreekmi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1162.

Beyond November, city leaders will re-evaluate the community’s COVID-19 status, and the positive cases and contacts among city staff.

City of Marshall
City of Marshall closed all of its buildings to public access starting Monday, Nov. 9. The buildings will remain closed while the local cases continue to surge. This change is being made for your protection and the protection of our employees.

Residents are encouraged to use the drop box in front of City Hall and online options for any necessary payments. Appointments will be available for anyone not able to use these options or if you need to start service. Please call 269-781-5183 to schedule any necessary appointments. Visit City of Marshall Facebook for more information.
Flu Shots at the Battle Creek Family YMCA
The Battle Creek Family YMCA is offering flu shots next week. These flu shots are available in the main lobby of the YMCA at 182 N.E. Capital Ave., and will be administered by a Meijer pharmacist. Vaccines will be processed through the patient's insurance, or covered by Meijer if the patient doesn't have insurance, and no reservations are needed. The flu shot clinics will take place at,
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16
  • 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20

Flu Shots are also available in Marshall, via a Public Health Department clinic that takes place on Saturday, Nov. 21.
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Marshall Area Fire Fighters Ambulance Authority located at 16984 Burlingame Drive in Marshall
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For updates from Calhoun County, about County operations and COVID-19 in Calhoun County, visit the County website, calhouncountymi.gov.

For updates from the City of Battle Creek, please visit battlecreekmi.gov/coronavirus.

The State’s COVID-19 Hotline is available for anyone who has questions or concerns related to the virus. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 1-888-535-6136. For state COVID-19 information, visit michigan.gov/coronavirus.
For information, contact
Lucy Blair, Calhoun County Communications Manager

Jessica Vanderkolk, City of Battle Creek Communications Manager