Joint Information Center
Monday, May 11, 2020
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Calhoun County's Joint Operations Center (JOC) will release Joint Information Center (JIC) briefings via email every Monday and Friday, as well as hold a live presentation mid-day Wednesdays.
As of May 11, at 11:00 AM, Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 267 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), with a total of 17 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 65 cumulative hospitalizations.
Using Personal Protective Equipment
As our businesses and community open further and further, CCPHD urges Calhoun to remember that the virus is still out there. The more people and places you expose yourself to regularly, the more significant the risk of COVID-19 to yourself and your family.
According to the CDC, the most common way for COVID-19 to spread is through respiratory droplets – these particles spread from person to person in the air through sneezing, coughing, talking, or even breathing. Particularly when you are indoors, respiratory droplets create a concerning number of opportunities for exposure to COVID-19. For this reason, CCPHD stresses the importance of always wearing face coverings indoors. You can find more information on the importance, and proper use, or face coverings by visiting
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html
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Additionally, many have begun wearing disposable gloves for their errands outside the home. Gloves are recommended when cleaning or when caring for someone who is sick. The CDC does not recommend the use of disposable gloves for everyday tasks, as they are not changed often enough and can still lead to the spread of the virus from surface to surface. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds when you have potentially been exposed to the virus, remains the most effective way to avoid transmitting the virus from your hands to your body. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with 60% or greater alcohol content to kill the virus.
Continue do your part by using a face covering, washing your hands, and by following all other CDC guidance.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this can transfer the virus from your hands to places where it can get into your body and infect you with COVID-19. This is true even if you are wearing disposable gloves.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces like doorknobs, and handles. This includes shopping baskets and carts.
- Practice social distancing by staying 6’ from others when you must be in public spaces.
- Stay home whenever possible.
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United Way Disaster Relief Fund
Every week in the Joint Operations Center briefing, Laurel Clark from United Way Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region provides an update about monies dispersed from the Disaster Relief Fund. Currently, the most prevalent areas of need are Food and Housing. Money has gone to food banks and pantries, as well as to supporting social distancing for our homeless population and supporting the quarantine and isolation site for individuals who cannot do so at home.
This week, the total dispersed is $731,386 in Battle Creek, and total raised is $782,369. Organizations who have received funds include, Battle Creek YMCA, Community Action, Disability Network Southwest Michigan, RISE Organization, SAFE Place, SHARE Center, Summit Pointe, Voces, and more.
Click the graphic for more information.
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For updates from Calhoun County, about County operations and COVID-19 in Calhoun County, visit the County website,
calhouncountymi.gov.
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.
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For information, contact
Lucy Blair, Calhoun County Communications Manager
Jessica Vanderkolk, City of Battle Creek Communications Manager
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