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Local News

Contact Tracing is Key – Op Ed by Dr. Mercatante

St. Clair County, MI — We are all tired of COVID-1; however, the virus is not tired of us! As this pandemic drags on, we have to congratulate ourselves for suppressing the first surge in March and April, though we are learning it isn’t over.

The virus wasn’t laying “dormant” these past few weeks. It was still circulating at a lower rate because it didn’t have as many people to work with due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order. Now that we are out and about more, the opportunity for this germ to invade, replicate, and transmit is much greater.

In our region, we are seeing a gradual increase in cases and percentage of positive tests. The majority of cases (75%) are linked to other known cases or working in health care, yet over 9% of the cases have come from people traveling (even within MI). This means that more than 15% have no known “link” to an identified case indicating we have community transmission.

Our best chances of avoiding infection are to wear a mask (or face covering), and stay at least 6 feet away from other people. 

A key strategy in controlling community transmission is by identifying case “contacts”. It is imperative we communicate with each case to find out who was exposed to them in order to “shut down” further transmission.

This process is called “contact tracing”. How does it work? St. Clair County Health Department Nursing staff calls each individual with a positive test. If/when that person answers the phone or returns our call (please do!), instructions are provided on infection management and isolation.

Additionally, questions are asked regarding places visited and about others whom they had close contact with now considered at high risk of exposure. Those people are then notified on what to watch for and how best not to spread the virus (or germs) themselves.

If everyone does what is asked, the chain of transmission is broken and the virus is slowed. If even one person fails to comply, transmission can continue. If enough people don’t comply, it accelerates.

This process is not an invasion of your privacy, but rather a critical tool to save us all from worsening conditions. IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON TO CHANGE THE WHOLE DISEASE PATTERN IN OUR COMMUNITY!

We know it may feel uncomfortable sharing these details; however, we are 100% committed to protecting your personal health information. No personal information will ever be shared.

The overall health and wellbeing of our residents is of critical importance. The main goal is to reduce community disease transmission and slow down the spread in our county. 

We are tired of wearing masks, avoiding crowds, washing our hands often and even hearing about COVID-19; nevertheless, the virus is not tired of us. Wishing it would go away or believing it is not a big deal will not make it disappear. Please do the right thing for your health, our economy, and for our community. 

Yours in Health, 

Annette Mercatante, MD, MPH Medical Health Officer St. Clair County Health Department

Bluewater Area COVID-19 Update for July 3, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 2nd, 2020 at  10:00 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 64,132   confirmed cases; 6,198 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 496 confirmed cases; 49 deaths
  • Ontario: 35,068  confirmed cases;  2,672 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 285 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

St. Clair County currently has 50 active cases of the virus, and 1% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun is urging residents not to avoid seeking help in a medical emergency.

Data from Michigan EMS agencies from March 15 to May 23rd, compared to the same period in 2019, show a 43.3% increase in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and out-of-hospital deaths increased 62%.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported emergency depart­ment visits declined by 42% during the early months of the pandemic with a 23% decrease in emergency visits for heart attacks and a 20% decrease for stroke in the 10 weeks following the declaration of a national emergency due to COVID-19.

“Medical emergencies have not gone away during the pandemic and Michigan EMS providers are standing by to help Michiganders safely get the lifesaving help they need,” said Jack Fisher, MAAS president and executive director of Medic 1 Ambulance in Berrien County. “Every minute counts in a medical emergency, and we hope this alarming trend of people avoiding care and dying needlessly doesn’t continue.”

“It is incredibly important that people not delay care, especially if they are having concerning symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or dizziness,” Khaldun said.

There has been no increase in cases of COVID-19 cases or deaths in Sarnia since our last report. The outbreak declared at Bluewater Health is now over and there is only one active outbreak at Afton Place in Sarnia.

The City of Sarnia’s ability to reopen, maintain, and provide Parks & Recreation services and programs has been affected by the COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy. Although green spaces and sports fields are open for limited use, pools, day camps, and bookings for sports fields are not available for the month of July.

Regular city recycling and waste collection started back up on July 1st, and the City wants to remind residents that all personal protective equipment  such as gloves and masks, and personal hygiene and sanitary products including wipes and tissues, should be thrown away in the trash and not in the blue recycling bins.

*** It is important to note that WGRT is continuing to report confirmed cases from each area, not total cases which are a combination of confirmed and probable cases. We have chosen to approach the data this way to simplify our reports and to create uniformity in the numbers we are reporting for each region, St.Clair County, Lambton County, Michigan, and Ontario.

Please continue to rely on reputable sources for information on COVID-19:

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Police Looking for Person of Interest in Grayfox Homicide

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Police Department along with the St. Clair County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim of the homicide on the Grayfox (a former Navy vessel) which was discovered on June 23, 2020. The victim has been identified as William Michael Orlow, a 44 year old male Port Huron resident. 

They are looking for a person of interest, Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, who was a caretaker on the vessel. Last known contact with him was in January 2020. Reginald is homeless and has lived in Port Huron, but is believed to be in the Detroit area. 

Person of interest: Reginald Cu-Nu Grasty, date of birth: 10/10/1977 Description: black male, 5-10, 190 lbs., black hair, brown eyes 

If you have knowledge of this crime, call the Port Huron Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383. Anonymous tips can be received through the CAPTURE Hotline at (810) 987-6688, emailed through www.porthuronpolice.org, or texted by downloading the Port Huron PD app on apple or android devices. Texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and their message/tip to 847411.

Two Arrested in Port Huron Twp. Drug Bust

Port Huron Twp., MI — Two Port Huron men are lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center after being arrested by the St. Clair County Drug Task Force on June 29th.

According to St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon, the DTF conducted an investigation into the sales of narcotics in the Port Huron area.  That investigation led to members of the Drug Task Force making contact with subjects inside a vehicle at the 40th Street Pond in Port Huron Township at about 8:30 Monday night.  The driver of the vehicle had a valid parole absconder warrant.

As a result of the investigation and a search of the suspect’s vehicle, nearly $1000 worth of methamphetamine was seized, along with analogue drugs, heroin, a .22 semiautomatic handgun, drug paraphernalia, and more than $2500 in cash.

The arrestees, ages 29 and 22, are expected to be arraigned today on charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of analogues, possession of heroin, felon in possession of a firearm and parole violation.

Coast Guard Asks Boaters to Stay Sober on the Water

Port Huron, MI — The Safe Boating Campaign and the U.S. Coast Guard are reminding boaters that drinking and boating can be a deadly combination. Getting out on the water and partaking of adult beverages may be a hallmark of the July 4th holiday for many, but both passengers and operators are asked to practice moderation.

Peg Phillips, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “Operating a boat – or even being a passenger – is incredibly risky while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drunken passengers can easily fall overboard, swim near the propeller, lean over the side, or stand up in small boats causing the boat to capsize.”

The Coast Guard is partnering with law enforcement for Operation Dry Water which includes both heightened enforcement and awareness of boating under the influence. Since the Operation’s inception in 2009, over 4,000 boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs have been removed from the water. Consequences of getting cited for impaired boating range from a misdemeanor with a fine as low as $100 up to a felony with significant jail time and hefty fines if injury or death results or if minors are involved.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PTM Corp GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award

PTM Corporation Receives GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award

Fair Haven, MI –General Motors Corporation grants an award to suppliers that meet and exceed its rigorous quality performance standards. PTM Corporation, a metal stamping plant in Fair Haven, MI, secured the GM Suppliers Quality Excellence Award for 2019.

The production facility at PTM Corporation passed an audit by GM that included a comprehensive quality assessment covering all facets of production. GM requires defect-free parts, on-time product delivery, and reaching quality standards above its minimum requirements.

Donna Russell-Kuhr, President, CEO and Co-Owner of PTM, said, “It makes me extremely proud for PTM to receive the GM 2019 Quality Excellence Award. This is a direct reflection of the wonderfully diversified and talented associates we employ who live our PTM Code Item #1 “Deliver exceptional performance and peace of mind to our customers.”

PTM has produced millions of metal stampings for its clients since 1972. They specialize in detail part design, prototype, tool build, and high-volume production.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand