For Immediate Release
December 18 ,2020
Tuscola County is reporting 165 positive cases of COVID19 for this week for a total of 2100 cases since the start of the pandemic. The 7-day average on the positivity of the tests is at 16%. Total of 76 deaths that is up 9 from last week.
Huron County is reporting 117 positive cases of COVID19 for this week for a total of 1171 cases since the start of the pandemic. The 7-day average positivity rate is still 16% Total of 33 deaths, up 13 from last week.
Testing update for Huron County
Great Lakes Bay Health Center
876 N Van Dyke Rd
Bad Axe, MI 48413
Drive-thru hotline: (989) 284-0076
Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10:00am-12:00pm
McLaren Thumb – Occupational Health and Convenient Care
1040 S Van Dyke Rd
Bad Axe, MI 48413
989-269-5152
Done by appointment daily, Doctor’s order is required.
Walgreens Pharmacy
830 N Van Dyke Rd
Bad Axe, MI 48413
989-269-6973
How it works
1. Complete a quick screening survey.
2. Choose a location and time for your COVID-19 testing appointment.
3. Go to the testing location and remain in your vehicle with the window rolled up.
4. Show your confirmation email, a valid state ID or driver’s license and insurance card.
5. Perform the test yourself using a nasal swab under the direction of a pharmacy team member. Patients ages 3–18 will need a parent or legal guardian present during self-administration of the COVID-19 test.
6. Your test results and contact information will be sent to PWNHealth.
7. Get results from PWNHealth.†
Testing Update for Tuscola County
Dates of testing in December: Time: 9-11am Wednesday December 23 at the Mosquito Abatement Building in Caro. There will be a state run “pop Up “testing siteon Dec 30 more information will be forth coming, along with registration information. It will be held at the same location and time. You can use the states COVID19 testing locator found at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus to find additional testing locations.
Resource Update:
2-1-1
If you don’t know who you should call please reach out to 2-1-1 they should be able to connect you to what you are looking for. Google 2-1-1 Northeast and you can search for resources in our community.
Vaccination update:
The health departments have not received their shipments of Moderna Vaccine yet. We expect shipment next week, Tuscola 300 doses and Huron 200 doses. We should receive weekly shipments but just these small amounts until the supply line picks up.
It is important to note that vaccination in one phase may not be complete before vaccination in another phase begins. There may be vaccination of individuals in different phases that occurs simultaneously. The timing of the start of vaccination in a phase is dependent on the supply of vaccine from the manufacturer, how vaccine is allocated from the federal level to Michigan, and the capacity to administer the vaccine to populations
MICHIGAN VACCINATION PHASES AND PRIORITY GROUPS
MDHHS has set an initial operational goal of vaccinating 70 percent of individuals 16 years of age or older, or about 5.6 million people, for COVID-19 by the end of 2021. COVID-19 is a new disease in human populations and immunity in populations is not well understood at this time. This initial goal assumes effectiveness of the vaccine is similar to manufacturers’ expectations. This goal will be adjusted as population effectiveness studies become available and ACIP guidance changes.
Michigan has prioritized vaccine allocation within CDC phases, with an emphasis on both ensuring the continuing functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community and protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Note, while there is not currently data on the safety and efficacy of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women, the CDC has recommended that pregnant women may be offered the vaccine within these priority groups upon consultation with their medical provider. These prioritizations may change as further guidance from CDC or ACIP, more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccination products become available.
PHASE 1A: Paid and unpaid persons serving 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 in long term care facilities.
1A Priority One: Keep critical health care infrastructure open and functioning (i.e., hospitals, critical care units, and emergency medical response systems) through vaccination of staff who perform direct patient care and work in critical areas including:
Group A: Emergency medical service providers, including medical first responders
Group B: General medical floor
Group C: Emergency department
Group D: Intensive care units
1A Priority Two: Prevent outbreaks and protect residents in long-term care facilities.
Group A: Vaccinate workers who have direct contact with large number of vulnerable residents. Note this would include staff who come in and out of the buildings.
• Skilled nursing facility staff
• Psychiatric hospital staff
• Homes for aged staff
• Adult foster care centers staff
• Assisted living facility staff
• Home health care workers caring for high risk clients with large patient loads (e.g. people with a tracheostomy/ventilator at home)
Group B: Vaccinate vulnerable residents in long-term care facilities
• Skilled nursing facility residents
• Psychiatric hospital patients
• Homes for aged residents
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine 12/13/2020
•Adult foster care centers residents
•Assisted living facility residents
1A Priority Three: Keep necessary health care infrastructure functioning.
Group A: Vaccinate workers with direct patient contact who conduct high risk procedures (e.g., dentists, endoscopy, dialysis).
Group B: Vaccinate other workers who have direct patient contact, including outpatient, urgent care, ambulatory care, and home health care.
Group C: Vaccinate workers who have indirect patient contact with specialized skills critical to health care system functioning (e.g. hospital and public health laboratories, pharmacy).
PHASE 1B: Other essential workers who keep critical infrastructure open and functioning.
MDHHS will consider the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Program as well as continuity of operations plans in prioritization. MDHHS also will prioritize the essential role of staff providing education and care to children and staff working in congregate settings other than long term care.
•K-12 school and child care staff with direct contact with children•Some workers in 16 sectors of Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, including Chemical; Communications; Dams; Emergency Services; Financial Services; Government Facilities; Information Technology; Transportation Systems; Energy; Food and Agriculture; Healthcare and Public Health; Nuclear Reactors, Materials and Waste; and Water and Wastewater Systems•Staff in homeless shelters, corrections facilities (prisons, jails, juvenile justice facilities), congregate child care institutions, and adult and child protective services•Workers with unique skill sets not covered above, such as non-hospital laboratories and mortuary services.
PHASE 1C: Individuals at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 infection.
Group A: Individuals age 65 years and older
Group B: Individuals 16-64 years with COPD, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity or other conditions that puts them at high risk of negative COVID-19 outcome.
PHASE 2: Individuals 16 years of age or older. All individuals who did not otherwise fit into the earlier groups for whom the vaccine is recommended. Not expected until late Spring 2021