Joint Information Center
Thursday, March 18, 2021
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As of 10 a.m on Thursday, March 18, 2021, Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 9,362 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), with a total of 222 deaths attributed to the virus. This information is updated once daily, Monday through Friday, at www.calhouncountymi.gov.
The State vaccine dashboard shows that as of March 17, 2021, 42,498 doses have been administered to Calhoun County residents, from various sources, not just the Public Health Department.
COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
In Calhoun County, total shots administered by the Public Health Department are, 11,952 first dose and 7,814 second dose shots. Last week, between March 7-13, the Public Health Department administered 2,162 vaccine doses. CCPHD and community partners have reached out to every individual who was on the 65+ waitlist.
Michigan’s vaccine eligibility update
As supply allows, CCPHD follows Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) prioritization for who is eligible for vaccine at this time, including people who are frontline workers in the food processing and agricultural industries, as well as people 50-64 with medical conditions and/or disabilities, as well as caregiver family members and guardians age 16 and older of children who have special health care needs.
- On March 22, 2021, all people aged 50-64 are eligible for vaccine, and people aged 16-49 who have disabilities and/or medical conditions, as well as their caregiver family members and guardians.
- On April 5, 2021, all people aged 16+ are eligible for vaccination in Michigan.
Calhoun County Public Health Department urges anyone who is interested in receiving the vaccine add his/her name to the electronic waitlist, which can be found at calhouncountymi.gov/vaccine. This online registration will notify individuals via email and text when vaccine appointments are available.
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Ford Field Vaccine
Starting March 24, 6,000 COVID-19 vaccines will be available at Ford Field in downtown Detroit daily for individuals who qualify. Follow this link to reserve an appointment: https://clinic.meijer.com/register/CL2021.The community vaccination site opens March 24, and anticipates issuing 6,000 doses a day for at least eight weeks.
The vaccine will be offered at no cost and insurance is not required, nor will it be requested at the vaccination center. Any Michigan resident who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine under the MDHHS vaccine prioritization guidance, as referenced above, will be able to register for an appointment.
Check Your Schedule!
Once you have confirmed your vaccine appointment with the CCPHD (or any organization), it is important to consider whether you are going to be available for your second dose clinic day. Depending on the vaccine you receive, it may be 21 or 28 days after the first dose. When you receive your first dose, confirm your appointment for the second dose. You are not fully vaccinated until you have received both doses. CCPHD is seeing a theme of individuals who can’t make their second dose day. With Spring Break upcoming, the Public Health Department want to make sure everyone is aware of the logistical challenges when the second dose needs to be rescheduled, and cannot be done on the assigned day.
Good for Business: The distribution of coronavirus vaccines offers small business owners a sign of optimism, but there's still a long road ahead before things return normal. Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce President Kara Beer shares, “Vaccines are the ultimate shot at economic recovery, but we know there is a long road ahead for small business owners,” A national study found that small business owners are encouraging their staff to be vaccinated to be healthy or because it’s the right thing to do as well as contemplating requiring a vaccine to return to in person work.
CCPHD and Joint Operations Center leadership urge local businesses to work with employees to arrange the vaccination appointment, even if it's during the work day. Many vaccine clinics by Public Health Department or area hospitals take place during the day due to available resources. While that might disrupt one's workday, the appointment is brief, with most people in and out of the clinic in 20 minutes, and getting the vaccine now will ensure a quicker return to work and typical operations.
Fully Vaccinated?
As more and more of the community is vaccinated, the CCPHD wants neighbors to understand what it means to be fully vaccinated. People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose of a 2-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna), or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). The CDC has released official guidance that people who have been fully vaccinated can begin to do some things that were previously discouraged due to the global pandemic.
If you are fully vaccinated:
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
Volunteers for vaccine grant pilot program
COVID-19 Vaccine outreach and education efforts are ongoing by various organizations in Calhoun County. With the recently-awarded vaccine grant for the Michigan Community Outreach Pilot Program, CCPHD is working with partners based to fill vaccine appointments for upcoming clinic. A set of volunteers with badge credentials are going door-to-door in the 10 most vulnerable census tracts in Battle Creek, Springfield and Albion to sign people up for the COVID-19 vaccine. Volunteers are signing up individuals 60+ years of age in those neighbors. The Battle Creek Police Department has received reports of residents' suspicions of scams, and we understand those concerns. Each volunteer is equipped with official documents and can show they are helping in our outreach efforts. For residents in these census tract areas, please do not be alarmed if volunteers come to your home. They are there to help get you signed up for an upcoming vaccine clinic.
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Keep up with Calhoun County vaccine efforts at
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Virus Numbers Are On the Rise
Michigan reported 2,048 cases of COVID-19 and 27 deaths on March 16, 2021, the fourth time in seven days Michigan has reported at least 2,000 cases in a single day. Data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows Michigan's average number of cases per day is 1,951, which is an increase of 140% since Feb. 20, 2021.
This trend is reflected close to home: COVID-19 numbers are going in the wrong direction right now in Calhoun County. While vaccines roll out, people need to continue to wear masks and maintain social distance. Everyone should continue to take all recommended actions to help stop the pandemic we are in this together.
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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
Victor Jovanovich, Public Health Department Communications Specialist
Jessica Vanderkolk, City of Battle Creek Communications Manager
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