As of April 2, 2020, at 12:45 PM, Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD).
Community Spread of COVID-19 and Testing
Though our understanding of COVID-19 is constantly evolving, it is now apparent we are experiencing community spread in Michigan. Several patients who have tested positive for the disease in Calhoun did not have travel history outside the county. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus who have no known contact with other infected individuals or have not recently traveled to an area where the disease has any documented cases.
Calhoun County, like the rest of the country, is experiencing a shortage of COVID-19 testing supplies. While local health systems work hard to develop testing ability and use outside laboratories, State guidance recommends prioritization for the testing that is available. Top priorities for test recipients will be given to health care professionals, first-responders and hospital patients in order to best protect those on the front-lines of treating COVID-19 from becoming ill and dwindling their numbers.
CCPHD asks the community to understand that testing does not change the treatment of COVID-19.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath), stay home. Isolate yourself from family and other household members until,
- at least seven days have passed since your symptoms began,
- you have been fever free for three days (72 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medication
- your respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved
If your symptoms worsen and you need medical assistance, call ahead and let responding staff know, so they can be prepared and protected.
Prevention recommendations for the public:
Guidance for protecting ourselves and each other from COVID-19 has not changed.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at elast 20 seconds. Particularly after using the toilet, coughing, or sneezing, and before eating.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces like doorknobs and keyboards.
- Stay home if ou can, but if you ust go out, pactice social distancing by staying at least 6’ from others..
- Stay home when you feel ill, and call your health care provider for guidance before arriving in person.
- Any medications should only be taken as prescribed and directed by your physician.
Eric Pessell, Health Officer for CCPHD, stated, “We are grateful for Calhoun County’s continued cooperation community-wide. We know the Stay at Home direction has been difficult, but what may seem a small action is having BIG affects on our ability to ‘flatten the curve’ and avoid overwhelming our health care system. Thank you.”
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For updates from Calhoun County, about County operations and COVID-19 counts in Calhoun County, visit the County website,
calhouncountymi.gov
. Case counts will be updated twice daily.
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
