OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Ottawa County leaders are closely monitoring public health following the county’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus.
The county’s health department announced a woman had tested positive for the disease on Sunday. She had no history of travel and is in isolation.
On Monday, leaders at various departments provided an update to the constantly developing outbreak.
“These are unprecedented times, not just for us here in Ottawa County but for all of us here in Michigan and throughout the United States,” health office Lisa Stefanowski said.
She emphasized most residents are at a low risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19, but it is on everyone to mitigate the spread.
“I also want to mention that we need to count on every single one of our citizens to help mitigate this disease,” Stefanowski said. “We need everybody to be following the orders that are being put forward to mitigate this.”
Health officials say a team of experts is closely looking out for the community’s best interest. After the first case was confirmed in the county, an extensive investigation was started, which included the close contacts of the patient, quarantine and monitoring.
The county has opened its emergency operations center to streamline communication between departments during the outbreak.
Ottawa County Administrator Al Vandenberg said they will move more services to online and delaying meetings that aren’t urgent.
At the sheriff’s office, all road patrol services and emergency responses remain fully operational.
