Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

response [ [link removed] ]



August 22, 2022
________________________________________________________________________

Resources Available Online ?| ?miOttawa.org/COVID19 [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

PH updates________________________________________________________________________

CDC Updates COVID-19 Community Guidance

On August 11, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Community COVID-19 Guidance [ [link removed] ] to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take [ [link removed] ] if exposed to COVID-19 and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus.?COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.

The updated guidance is recommended to be used on an as-needed basis, and should be determined by your individual health risk, the health risk of those with whom you have close contact and the level of community transmission where you live or are visiting.?

So, what has changed? The updated guidance makes the recommendations for exposure and isolation consistent regardless of an individual's vaccination status.


* Anyone?*exposed* to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5, but you are not required to quarantine.

* If you?*test positive* for COVID-19, you should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
* If after 5 days, you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
* Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
* You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.


* If you *experience symptoms* of COVID-19, but* test negative*, you may end your isolation.
* The CDC will *no longer?*recommend testing for COVID-19 if you do not have any known exposures and do not have symptoms.?

In addition to basic health and hygiene practices, like handwashing, the CDC continues to recommend following the updated prevention methods, which include:


* Stay?up to date [ [link removed] ] with COVID-19 vaccines.
* Improve?ventilation [ [link removed] ]?indoors and spend time outdoors when possible.
* Move indoor activities outside.

* Get tested [ [link removed] ] for COVID-19, if necessary.
* Physical distancing is still an important component of how to protect yourself and others. You should consider your individual risk and the risk level of the setting you will be in when assessing the need to maintain distancing.

"We?re in a better place now with regard to severe illness, hospitalization and death than we have been at earlier points in the pandemic. We now have many tools we can add or take away, depending on community transmission and individual risk,? said Marcia Mansaray, Deputy Health Officer. ?Right now, the CDC is not saying don't socially distance, or don't quarantine, or don't wear a mask. What they're saying is that you should use the tools that you have and add them in as-needed based on your risk, or the risk in your community."

________________________________________________________________________

COVID-19 Vaccines Protect High-Risk Individuals

Using predictive modeling, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is anticipating COVID-19 cases will rise in the fall. Individuals who are at a higher risk for severe illness should consider what steps they should take to prepare for a possible surge of cases.?

Who is at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection?


* Older adults
* People with certain medical conditions [ [link removed] ]
* People who are immunocompromised
* Pregnant or recently pregnant people?

If you are considered high-risk, being?up to date [ [link removed] ] with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself. Learn more about how to understand your risk here [ [link removed] ].

severe illness________________________________________________________________________

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

On July 19, the CDC [ [link removed] ] updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, approving the Novavax vaccine for emergency use authorization (EUA) for adults 18 years and older.

Novavax is a two-dose, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that is currently being used in more than 40 countries. It is safe and effective and has been authorized by the European Union, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Novavax is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine available in the United States. It went through an extensive review in clinical trials and has been analyzed for its safety and effectiveness before being approved for emergency use.?In the United States, the vaccine is currently authorized only as a primary dose, not a booster dose.?

Data from the Novavax clinical trial [ [link removed] ] show that Novavax is more than 90% effective at protecting against symptomatic COVID-19, and 100% effective against severe illness and death. Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain and headaches. Data from the trials show there were six cases of myocarditis in about 30,000 people, primarily among young men. The cases of myocarditis in the clinical trial were treatable and all six individuals recovered well. The risk of developing myocarditis from COVID-19 infection remains higher than the risk of developing it from a COVID-19 vaccine, including Novavax.

Novavax is another option for unvaccinated individuals. The Novavax vaccine is created using more traditional protein-based technology for vaccine development, unlike other COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States. The Novavax vaccines uses a combination of purified coronavirus spike proteins and an immune-boosting stimulant called an adjuvant (common in many vaccines, such as the hepatitis B vaccine, influenza vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine) to strengthen the body's immune response. As a protein-based vaccine, Novavax is another option for people who are allergic to one of the components in an mRNA or viral-vector vaccine.?

Novavax is available by appointment at OCDPH. Call 616 396-5266 to schedule an appointment.

novavax [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

MDHHS Announces Additional
Free COVID-19 Tests For All Households

On August 10, 2022, MDHHS announced the expansion of its partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 180,000 free COVID-19 tests to 36,000 households located anywhere in the state. Previously, tests were only available in select ZIP codes.

All households in the state of Michigan can order tests at?AccessCovidTests.org [ [link removed] ] through the end of August. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211?for assistance ordering tests.?

MDHHS continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. Click here [ [link removed] ] for a list of participating libraries.

Private health insurers are also?required to cover [ [link removed] ] up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan. ?

READ MORE [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

It's Time to Think About Back to School

?We're sad to say that summer is almost over for our school age kids with back to school right around the corner! If you have a new kindergartner, back-to-school immunizations and hearing and vision screenings are required for entry into school. In addition, some immunization boosters are required for incoming 7th graders. This is a good time to get your child up to date on all vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccines. It's also a good time to start thinking about the COVID-19 prevention strategies your family will use as kids go back to school. Contact your pediatrician or the OCDPH clinic at 616 396-5266 for information on the immunizations your child needs. Appointments for hearing and vision screenings can still be made by calling OCDPH as well.

________________________________________________________________________

What You Should Know About Monkeypox (MPV)

Although this newsletter is primarily focused on COVID-19, we would like to update you on monkeypox (MPV) transmission in Ottawa County.

MPV is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. MPV is spread through direct contact with an infected person, or with material that has been in contact with the virus.?

Five probable cases of MPV have been identified in Ottawa County. As of August 22, there are 131 probable cases in Michigan. At this time, the risk of MPV infection to the community is low. However, *anyone*?who is in close contact with a person with MPV, including children, can get it and should take steps to protect themselves. Symptoms of MPV can appear between 3 and 20 days after infection; the illness typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

fact sheet [ [link removed] ]monkeypox spanish fact sheet [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Follow OCDPH on Instagram

instagram logo

?

OCDPH is now on Instagram! Follow us @miocph.? [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

county updates________________________________________________________________________

Ottawa County Data Hub

Ottawa County publishes recent COVID-19 data relating to community transmission, counts, descriptive statistics and test positivity. The data hub is updated every weekday from Monday - Friday by 4:00 pm.?View Data Hub [ [link removed] ]

Weekly COVID-19 Data Reports can be found on our COVID page [ [link removed] ].?

________________________________________________________________________

Ottawa County Case Rates
case rates [ [link removed] ]

As of August 18th, 46 new cases of COVID-19 were reported each day on average over the last 7 days, similar to the 51 daily reported cases over the previous 7-day period. These reports do not include results in people tested with antigen test kits at home; true case counts may be underreported.

________________________________________________________________________

CDC COVID-19 Community Level
community levels [ [link removed] ]

Ottawa County is currently in the?low [ [link removed] ]?COVID-19 Community Level.

________________________________________________________________________

Where to Find COVID-19 Vaccines

VWM Logo [ [link removed] ]

OCDPH lists all of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics on?*VaccinateWestMi.com [ [link removed] ]*. Click on the calendar to find scheduling and walk-in opportunities in Ottawa County and the surrounding area.


* The Pfizer [ [link removed] ] or Moderna [ [link removed] ] series for children under 5.
* The Pfizer two-dose vaccine [ [link removed] ] is available for individuals aged 5 years or older.
* The Moderna two-dose vaccine [ [link removed] ] is available for individuals aged 18 years or older.
* The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine [ [link removed] ] is available for certain individuals aged 18 years or older.
* The Novavax vaccine [ [link removed] ] available for individuals aged 18 years or older.?
* Boosters are now recommended for anyone 12 years or older and those under 12 who are immunocompromised.
* A second booster dose is recommended for those over 50 years old and for those aged 12 to 49 who are immunocompromised.?
* Proof of date of birth is required (driver?s license, state ID or birth certificate). Parental consent is required for minors. Find more details and requirements on each clinic's page.
* If you are receiving a second dose or a booster, please remember to bring your vaccine card to your appointment.
* Learn more about?COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens [ [link removed] ].
August VWM calendar [ [link removed] ]

*Need a ride to a vaccine clinic? *To schedule a trip, call MAX at 616-355-1010. LEARN MORE [ [link removed] ]?-?Kent County Vaccine Transportation Access Information HERE [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

COVID-19 Testing

Car COVID-19 Testing [ [link removed] ]

*Need Testing? No-Cost Community Sites. *Rapid antigen testing for anyone?with or without symptoms (parental consent required for minors). Samples are taken by nasal swab. Results within 15-30 min. No appointment needed ? No doctor?s order needed ? No insurance needed ? No fee ? Please bring a form of ID ? No pets allowed ? Wear a face covering.?Find locations, dates and times at www.miOttawa.org/covid19 [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

*MDHHS Resources*

*Vaccine Information [ [link removed] ] I MI Vaccine Locations [ [link removed] ]?I FAQs [ [link removed] ]*

________________________________________________________________________

NIH Header [ [link removed] ]
Read the Latest NIH Research. [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

*More COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources*

*VaccinateWestMi.com FAQs [ [link removed] ]?I?Deaf & Hard of Hearing FAQ Videos [ [link removed] ]
CDC COVID-19 FAQs Flyer [ [link removed] ]?I CDC FAQ Website [ [link removed] ]*

*Alternative Languages:?Arabic [ [link removed] ]?|?Spanish [ [link removed] ]?|?Korean [ [link removed] ]?|?Russian [ [link removed] ]?|?Simplified Chinese [ [link removed] ]?|?Tagalog [ [link removed] ]?|?Traditional Chinese [ [link removed] ]?|?Vietnamese [ [link removed] ]*

________________________________________________________________________

*Click to learn more [ [link removed] ] from the CDC's COVID-19 Webinars and Partner Calls Videos*

________________________________________________________________________

"The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) sent this update to those who signed up for vaccine notifications [ [link removed] ]?or COVID-19 updates [ [link removed] ].?You may also?sign up to receive information about other news topics [ [link removed] ] from Ottawa County Parks, Sheriff?s Office and more. See the end of this email to make any changes to your subscription preferences."

________________________________________________________________________








Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

OCDPH Logo Ottawa County Logo


STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

"The?Ottawa County Board of Commissioners:"
Chairman?Matt Fenske |?Vice-Chairman?Al Dannenberg | Philip Kuyers |?Jim Holtvluwer |?Doug Zylstra | Roger Bergman |?Joe Baumann | Frank Garcia | Kyle Terpstra | Randy Meppelink | Greg DeJong

"Images included with press releases may be reproduced for editorial use."

Questions??Contact Us <[email protected]>

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Receive fewer or more messages [ [link removed] ]??|??Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Ottawa County, Michigan ? 12220 Fillmore Street ? West Olive, MI 49460 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]