Joint Information Center
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020
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As of 11 a.m on Wednesday, Dec. 16, Calhoun County has a cumulative total of 6,407 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD), with a total of 150 deaths attributed to the virus. This information is updated once daily, Monday through Friday, at www.calhouncountymi.gov.
Calhoun County's Unified Command Team for COVID-19 response reminds our residents to celebrate the winter holidays safely this year. COVID-19 has caused over 300,000 deaths in the United States, 10,000 deaths in Michigan, and 150 deaths here in Calhoun County. To prevent further spread of this devastating virus in our community, the safest way to celebrate the holidays is to do so with the people who live with you. Consider celebrating virtually with family members who live far away. If you do gather, opt for outdoor gatherings if possible and weather permitting. Disinfect commonly used areas, have people bring their own meal items, and limit the number of guests.
Our Public Information Officers created a video with helpful information about how to keep your family safe during the holidays, as well as questions to consider before traveling. Please consistently follow public health guidelines during this time, when family gatherings are common, to keep yourself safe: Wear a mask, socially distance from those who don't live with you whether you're indoor or outdoors, and wash your hands often. Watch the video at, https://youtu.be/9dn3Ahf_QxI.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The first round of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines are being shipped to health departments and hospitals around the country and state. These organizations are making final plans to quickly and safely administer the vaccine. The Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) will receive its first shipment as soon as this weekend.
To start, vaccine distribution is limited to paid and unpaid persons working in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, and are unable to work from home, as well as residents and workers in long term care facilities. This category of individuals has been identified as Phase 1A.
Phase 1B includes essential workers, people who play a key role in keeping critical functions of society running and cannot socially distance in the workplace. And Phase 1C includes high-risk adults, such as those with medical conditions that are risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness, and adults 65 years of age or older. Individuals in Phases 1B and 1C are likely to be eligible for vaccination in early 2021, while individuals in Phase 2, which includes all adults, can expect to be eligible by mid-2021. In a recent press release from CCPHD, more information is provided about why essential workers will receive the vaccine first.
Plans are being made to start beginning drive-thru vaccine clinics in early 2021. In Michigan, health officials have established the statewide goal is to have 70% of the adult population vaccinated by the end of 2021, which totals about 5.4 million individuals. To keep track of the vaccine progress in Michigan, the State has developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, which provides information about vaccine providers, vaccines shipped, doses administered, and doses by vaccine, as well as resources for learning more about the vaccine.
To help with administering the vaccine in Calhoun County, the CCPHD seeks volunteers to help in this life-saving public health effort. Those interested should register with the MI Volunteer Registry. The MI Volunteer Registry provides a centralized location for volunteers to indicate their interests and contact information for helping to support a public health or medical emergency response. By adding your name and information to the Registry, you are indicating your willingness to volunteer your time and skills. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old. For more information and to register, visit www.mivolunteerregistry.org.
Testing Available in Battle Creek
COVID-19 testing will take place at the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17. Nasal and oral tests will be available, and an appointment is not needed. This is a walk-in event only. This pop-up testing site is possible due to the MDHHS Neighborhood Testing Site strategy.
This one-time testing event is in addition to the ongoing testing available countywide. To learn more about this pop-up event and other testing opportunities, please visit Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest.
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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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