COVID-19 PUBLIC STATEMENT

[St. James Township]

Beaver Island Public Statement regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Last Updated: January 13, 2021
“Protect (Vaccinate)Yourself, Protect the Island”

Happy New Year and Happy New Outlook on the Coronavirus Pandemic. While the pandemic, and potential spread of the virus is still very much a part of our lives, the vaccination rollout brings hope for a move toward more social interaction. The State of Michigan is allowing, as vaccine supplies are available, the vaccination of people according to this Prioritization Guide: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coro ... 349_7.pdf

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center is taking the lead with the Health Department of NW Michigan to ensure that all Islanders who want the vaccine can get it as soon as possible. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNM) is seeking to get as many doses as possible of the vaccine to the island for distribution in the next several weeks. As you can imagine, the logistics of organizing all of this is very tricky and fluid as supplies and directives change.

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is following Governor Whitmer's roll out plan when scheduling vaccinations for island residents. HDNW is currently scheduling priority level 1B, frontline essential workers and persons 65 years and older, for the January 19th clinic. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-432-4121.

If you are interested in receiving a vaccination and do not meet the priority 1B requirements, you can register online by using the following link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/Response ... k3NzhKSi4u

Island seniors who need assistance with registration, contact Lonnie Allen at 448-2124 or allenl@charlevoixcounty.org Lonnie Allen is the Council on Aging site Coordinator for Beaver Island.

The Rural Health Center is to be commended for the outstanding job they have done, and continue to do, in response to this unprecedented health emergency. For further updates on the vaccination schedule and protocol for Beaver Island, please monitor the BIRHC website: https://www.biruralhealth.org/

Link to Health Department of Northwest Michigan: http://www.nwhealth.org/covid19.html This site has useful up to date information and resources. This site is updated daily.

COVID 19 Remains a Serious Disease that can Lead to Other Health Problems
If you are sick, have been around someone who has tested positive, or are awaiting Covid-19 test results yourself, do not travel to Beaver Island. If you are already on Beaver Island when these situations arise, take every precaution to quarantine yourself from others and contact health officials.

These are Still the best Guidelines for Limiting the Spread of the Virus:
• Get Vaccinated.
• Limit your interaction with others as much as possible.
• Wear a Mask.
• Respect Social Distancing and Avoid Gatherings.
• Wash your Hands.
• Monitor your Health. Pay attention for COVID-19 symptoms: Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath.

Prepared on behalf of Doug Tilly, Peaine Township Supervisor and Kathleen McNamara, St James Township Supervisor

[KateL]

Great news! Thanks for sharing