Last Updated: April 7, 2020
“Stay Home, Stay Safe” and “Be Aware of What you Share”
The goal of the Township Supervisors is to make sure emergency organizations have what they need to carry out their individual missions during this crisis: BIEMS, BIRHC, BIFD, CCSD (Charlevoix County Sheriff Department). As such, we ask for regular input from their leaders through conference calls and we monitor the Regional EOC calls three times a week. We plan to release a Public Statement once a week, unless there is something urgent to report.
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- BIEMS, BIRHC, BIFD and CCSD have solid protocols in place and continue to monitor and adjust protocols as the emergency unfolds. Contact them directly if you want more information or to give them a big Thank You!
• Island essential business have done an amazing job of staying ahead of the local and state guidelines and protocols. Contact them directly if you want more information or to give them a big Thank You!
• Townships have certain authorities and, by law, rely on other governmental agencies for specific authority, such as CCE Office of Emergency Management and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. Check this site
http://www.nwhealth.org/ for a regional COVID-19 Daily Update.
• If you have questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact one of the supervisors.
No community will come through this emergency unscathed. The Beaver Island Community can come through this with the ‘Community’ intact if we look out for each other, trust each other to follow best practices as much as possible, expect the best of others and realize that mistakes and learning are all part of this crazy new world we are now navigating. At the end of the day (whenever that may be), we can be in a position to celebrate with our community, welcome back our summer residents and visitors, and reopen our businesses. Between now and then, let’s all play our part and support others in playing their part.
You Asked: How will we know if someone from the island tests positive for COVID-19? The Answer: If an individual does test positive for COVID-19, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s communicable disease team begins contact tracing. They work with the covid-19 positive individual to identify any potential exposures for that person, starting 48 hours before symptom onset. Then, the contact tracing team reaches out to each of those individuals who had significant exposure to the case to make them aware of the exposure, talk through quarantine, and the process of monitoring symptoms daily.
As of April 7, 2020, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center is reporting that three patients have been tested for COVID-19 and are following strict medical protocol. Two patient tests have come back negative and one is awaiting test results. It is assumed that individuals who have sought testing will contact others with whom they have had recent contact.
For updated information click on the "Coronavirus 19" Link on either township's homepage http://www.peainetwp.org/ or http://www.stjamestwp.org/
The links have been streamlined and you will soon be able to sign up for eNotification of changes to the townships’ websites.
Kathleen McNamara, Supervisor
St James Township
Phone: 231.448.2014
mcnamara.stjamestwp.bi@gmail.com
William Kohls, Supervisor
Peaine Township
Phone: 231.448.2389
peainetownship@gmail.com
