FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Semi-Weekly Media Update
From the Calhoun County Public Health Department
As of April 23, at 11:30 a.m., Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 177 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), with a total of 6 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 48 cumulative hospitalizations.

It is important for the community to remember that we are still on our projected COVID-19 case upswing. As the virus progresses in its spread, we hope to see our peak in positive cases soon, but Calhoun is not there yet. Continuing to do your part by following CDC guidance remains crucial at this time.


Contact Tracing Investigations Continue
Every test resulting in a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 begins a new path for contact tracing through CCPHD’s Communicable Disease team. During a contact investigation, CCPHD gathers information about a person’s recent history, including where they live, work, and socialize, to identify where a person may have been exposed to the virus and others who may have been exposed since then. Through investigation, these highly-trained nurses can reach out to others who may have been exposed to the virus and make sure they are receiving proper guidance and care to keep themselves and their families safe confidentially. And they keep going from there, checking in daily to help those in isolation or quarantine navigate their recovery as best as possible. 


Testing Expansion Continues
Governor Whitmer has outlined several criteria that must be met to ensure Michigan can begin the slow process of reopening and returning to normalcy. An important key to these criteria involves making sure that every person who has symptoms of COVID-19 is able to be reliably tested for the virus, regardless of their employment as a first-responder, social contact history, or risk in a hospital setting. On Wednesday, April 22, the Governor announced testing expansion for the people of Michigan.
Under expanded guidelines, anyone with symptoms, even if they are mild, can be tested without doctor’s orders. All critical infrastructure workers, including first responders and healthcare personnel can get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible. 

Below is a list of COVID-19 testing sites in SW Michigan. Please note that instructions for each site are different and those seeking testing should call ahead. Anyone with mild symptoms is encouraged to seek testing.


Albion
- Oaklawn Medical Group, 302 N Monroe St | (517) 629-2134

Battle Creek
- Bronson Family Medicine, 2900 Watkins Road | (269) 341-7788
- Grace Health, 181 W. Emmett St. | (269) 441-3463
- MedExpress Urgent Care, 25 E Columbia Ave | (269) 964-4751

Marshall
- Oaklawn Hospital, 200 N Madison St | (269) 781-4271

Charlotte
- Sparrow Eaton Hospital: AL!VE Campus, 800 W. Lawrence Avenue, East side of building | (877) 205-1300

Eaton Rapids
- Rite Aid: 715 South Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Schedule a slot at www.riteaid.com

Grand Rapids
- Cherry Health, 200 Sheldon Street SE | (616) 965-8347
- Spectrum Health, Testing available at multiple locations | (833) 559-0659
- Mercy Health Grand Rapids, Wege Parking Ramp, 300 Lafayette Ave SE | 833-247-1258

Hastings
- Spectrum Health Pennock, 1009 W. Green Street | (833) 559-0659

Jackson
- Center for Family Health, 505 N. Jackson St. | (517) 748-5363
- Henry Ford Allegiance Health | (313) 874-1055

Kalamazoo
- Bronson Health Care Group, 1 Healthcare Plaza | (269) 341-7788
- Family Health Center, 117 W Paterson St. | (269) 488-0804
- Kalamazoo Health and Community Services Department, 311 E. Alcott St. | 269-373-5200

Lansing
- Sparrow Hospital: St. Lawrence Campus, 1210 W. Saginaw, South side of building | (877) 205-1300
- PHP Building, 1400 Michigan Avenue, East side of building | (877) 205-1300
- Ingham Community Health Centers, 2316 S. Cedar St. | (517) 887-4517
- Michigan State University Health Care, 804 Service Road, Parking Lot 100 | (855) 958-2678


“This increased access to testing will create more reliable contact tracing efforts as the virus is less able to hide in our community,” said Calhoun County Health Officer, Eric Pessell. “We know that this virus is community spread, so we have to continue striving to make the testing community-wide as well. Being able to confidently follow the path of infection through our neighborhoods will help us greatly in keeping our foot on the neck of this virus.”



***

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.
 
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
269-781-0926,  lblair@calhouncountymi.gov

Jessica Vanderkolk, City of Battle Creek Communications Manager