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Local News

Sarnia Reduces Number of People Allowed at Social Gatherings

The Ontario Government reduced the number of people allowed to attend private social gatherings around the Province on Tuesday. Previously, indoor gatherings could consist of 50 people, and outdoor gatherings were limited to 100. The new limits are 10 people at an indoor gathering and 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering.

As of this morning at 9 AM, there was 1 active case of COVID-19 in Lambton County, 0 active outbreaks, and there hasn’t been a hospitalization for COVID-19 since May.

The Province of Ontario recently started a new website with data on COVID-19 cases in publicly-funded Ontario schools. The most recent report shows 116 schools in Ontario with reported cases of the virus, but there are no cases of COVID-19 in publicly funded schools or licensed childcare settings in Lambton County.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

EEE Cases Mounting; More Aerial Mosquito Spraying Underway

The battle against Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or “triple E”, rages on with a hard freeze being the only sure way to kill off the mosquitoes that carry the virus. Aerial insecticide treatments of 226,000 acres began last week, with more treatments scheduled for this week. Infection with EEE has serious neurological symptoms for both humans and animals.

Temperature plays a crucial factor in the treatment plan as the mosquitos don’t fly when it is below 50 degrees, but they don’t die until there is consistent nighttime temperatures below 28 degrees, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The urgency of the mosquito control has been ratcheted up with the first case of human infection of EEE being identified in Barry County. The infections in horses have increased to thirty, and the number of affected counties has increased. An infected deer was found in Allegan County.

Oakland and Genesee Counties are the regions closest to the Blue Water Area that are getting treated. No cases have been reported in St. Clair County. At least one case has been reported in Ontario, but not near the Michigan border.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

A Beautiful Me Receives Recognition from GreatNonprofits

A Beautiful Me received recognition as a Top-Rated Nonprofit for 2020 by GreatNonprofits, a website where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofits.

“A Beautiful Me is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “Their award is well-deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working with A Beautiful Me.”

A Beautiful Me also achieved Platinum level with GuideStar, an online research and verification service for nonprofits, and earned their 2020 Seal of Transparency. To reach the Platinum level, they added extensive information to their public Nonprofit Profile including in-depth financial information, and quantitative information about goals, strategies, and progress toward their mission.

A Beautiful Me provides workshops, programs, and events throughout St. Clair, Macomb, Wayne, Oakland, Lapeer & Genesee counties that empower girls of all ages with life-giving messages about their self worth and tools to build their confidence.

“We are honored to be named a 2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit,” states Karen Palka, Founder & Executive Director, A Beautiful Me, Inc. “We are proud that our volunteers, board of directors, and community members value our work and gave us many 5-star ratings. The support is encouraging as we innovate new ways to reach girls during COVID-19 such as our Pen Pal Program and emerge360.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Free Drive-Thru Flu Clinics Coming Up

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) in partnership with Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) will be offering drive-thru flu clinics on September 25th  & 29th  from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and October 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

All ages are welcome, and flu vaccines will be administered by St. Clair County Health Department public health nurses. The vaccine is available for ages 6 months and up. The flu mist (no needle) and the standard flu vaccine will be available.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Make an appointment online at www.scchealth.co and click “Make an Appointment”. Pre-registration can also be done over the phone by calling (810) 987-5300.

There are no out of pocket expenses for participants, and insurances will be billed. Please wear a short sleeve shirt and take a photo ID and a copy of your insurance card.

 

Friday, September 25th and

Tuesday, September 29th

Lake Huron Medical Center

Main Campus

2601 Electric Avenue

(Enter off of Electric and 11th)

 

Tuesday, October 6th:

Lake Huron Medical Center

North Campus

4190 24th Avenue, Fort Gratiot

In addition, for the safety of staff and visitors, we kindly ask that participants do not bring any pets.

For more information about health department services visit www.scchealth.co or follow us on social media @scchdmi.

Pollution Prevention Week Aims to Keep Michigan’s Environment Clean

This week is “Pollution Prevention Week” and “Michigan Environmental Compliance Week” throughout the state. The observances are intended to draw attention to environmental stewardship. 

Toxic substances, like PFAS and abandoned industrial waste sites, have been hot topics in the state. Efforts are underway to reduce the use of toxic substances, recycle and reuse when possible, and to educate businesses, communities, and environmental professionals on how to protect Michigan’s environment.   

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting a series of free online workshops for interested citizens and professionals. 

In St. Clair County, residential consumers can dispose of hazardous materials at the Smiths Creek Landfill. An appointment needs to be made and a detailed list of all materials being brought in needs to be submitted. 

The full list of materials that are accepted at the Smiths Creek Landfill, along with ideas on how to reduce use of toxic chemicals, and information about properly disposing of all kinds of toxic materials can be found www.stclaircounty.org/offices/landfill/. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Insurance Companies Waive Patient Costs Through 2020

92% of the Michigan’s commercial health insurance companies have agreed to waive patient costs associated with the testing and treatment of COVID-19. Out of pocket costs such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance payments will be waived through the end of 2020.

The State of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) worked on the agreement with the insurance providers to ensure patients would have access to treatment and not be burdened financially.

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for medically appropriate COVID-19-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications and vaccines when they become available.

To learn more about the companies who are waiving costs, click <HERE>.