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Bluewater Area COVID-19 Update for July 31, 2020

St. Clair County, MI — Lambton County, Ontario

Cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 31st, 2020 at  9:00 AM are as follows:

  • State of Michigan: 80,887  confirmed cases; 6,191 deaths
  • St. Clair County: 634 confirmed cases; 52 deaths
  • Ontario: 39,075  confirmed cases;  2,772 deaths
  • Sarnia-Lambton: 302 confirmed cases; 25 deaths

St. Clair County currently has 119 active cases of the virus, and 5% of hospital beds in the county are being used for COVID-19 patients. There have been 59 new total cases of COVID-19 in St. Clair County in the last 7 days.

Governor Whitmer released an Amended Safe Start Order on Wednesday night that allows for the opening of Michigan casinos at 15% capacity, and closes bars for indoor service throughout the State of Michigan. Bars in Regions 6 and 8 were previously exempt from the closure that has affected other Michigan regions since July 1st.

There has been a lot of confusion about whether the regulations on public gatherings were changed in this new order. The limit of 10 people for indoor activities and 100 people for outdoor activities has been in place our region (Region 1) since June 1, 2020. The newest order simply restates those limits, it does not change them. Both the rescinded order and the new order make some exceptions for the size of gatherings if they are outdoor athletic activities or involve medical services, crisis centers, and some professional services.

Lambton County currently has 12 active cases. The number of cases doubled since last week. In the course of the epidemic in Lambton County, there have been 58 hospital admissions for the virus.  Hospital admissions peaked at 5 during April, and the last case requiring admission to the hospital was on May 31st.

The City of Sarnia passed a by-law to impose temporary regulations requiring the use of masks or face coverings in public indoor spaces within the City. The regulations take effect today, and a list of exemptions for following the mask requirement are:

  • Children under five years of age
  • Persons with an underlying medical condition or disability which inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering
  • Persons who are unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance
  • Employees or agents of the establishment within an area designated for them and not publicly accessible, or in an area separated by a physical barrier
  • Persons who are reasonably accommodated by not wearing a mask or face covering in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Persons in an establishment, while receiving services requiring the removal of the face covering, including but not limited to eating or drinking, or while actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity
  • Persons within an establishment, while participating in a religious service, for rituals which require an uncovered mouth

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

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Opioid Overdoses Surge During COVID-19

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency departments in Michigan have both seen substantial increases in opioid overdoses since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic. These increases are a tragic reminder of the continued toll of the opioid epidemic.

According to statistics gathered by MDHHS, EMS responses for opioid overdose increased by 33% from April to May of this year. Additionally, EMS responses for opioid overdoses from April through June 2020 were 26%  higher than the same period in 2019. EMS responses for opioid overdoses increased for all regions and nearly all demographic groups, with the exception of residents aged 65 years and older.

Treatment centers are sill open during COVID-19, and those seeking help for a substance abuse disorder should not hesitate to seek treatment.

Local support for people in recovery is available from Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, or by calling 1-800-662-HELP.

Don’t Forget about Routine Vaccinations

“The Vaccine” is a hot topic in the news, but parents are asked not to forget about the routine non-COVID vaccines that their children may be behind on receiving.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, kids are falling behind on their vaccine schedule across the state. Well-child visits have been postponed in the wake of the global pandemic, making non-immunized children vulnerable to diseases. Both mumps and measles, which are vaccine preventable and highly contagious have presented in children in the area within the past two years.

The flu vaccine, while not required for school, is being strongly recommended this year. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said, “It will also be vital for everyone ages six months and older to get their flu vaccine this fall. The influenza vaccine will help keep Michiganders out of the hospital for flu-related illnesses, saving lives and protecting our hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The flu vaccine will be available in early fall.

St. Clair County’s vaccination rate is considered “poor” and the waiver rate, where parents choose not to have their children vaccinated, is considered “high”, according to the county health department annual report.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lake Huron Medical Center Honors July Employee and Volunteer of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its July 2020 Employee of the Month, Julie Eggert, and its July 2020 Volunteer of the Month, Maureen Blackman. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Julie is an OR Tech in the Surgery Department and has been with LHMC since 1997. She was nominated by a peer who commented, “Julie is always so helpful with OR case questions or scheduling.  This past weekend she was the greeter at the doctor’s entrance, but on top of that, she helped me with a ton of other things.  She ran errands, got supplies, helped deliver food to the floors, checked the temps in OR, found a leak in the ceiling, all while being so professional.  We greatly appreciate all her hard work!” 

Maureen volunteers as a courier and was nominated by an employee who stated: “Maureen always give generously to LHMC.  Whether she’s busy as a courier at the greeter’s desk, creating and donating incredible gift baskets to donate to the foundation events, or supporting the entire staff with kindness and special gifts, she s a ray of sunshine.  This month she dropped by the adorable face masks that she makes.  She always goes above and beyond.”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Julie and Maureen, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.  

 

Community Opens Up Wallets for Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home Fundraiser

Port Huron, MI — The Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home in Port Huron exceeded their 2020 spring fundraising goal in a big way. The goal of $20,000 was quickly met and the campaign went on to bring in over $32,000.

Part of the success of the campaign was a matching fund challenge that doubled donations up to $8000 and a Diamond-level donation of $5000 from Laura Newsome, a member of the Home’s Board of Directors.

The virtual fundraiser started in May, in place of the cancelled in-person luncheon that is usually held. Executive Director of Blue Water Developmental Housing, Kathy Swantek, said, “Our luncheon typically raises $20,000 each year, and we were confident we had good community support. However, the community far exceeded our expectations, and we are thankful and grateful to all who recognize the need for Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home, and to all who chose to support it even during the midst of this pandemic.”

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home has been providing assisted living to area senior citizens since 1944. The home provides lodging for seniors who have lower incomes and may have nowhere else to go.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New CEO Appointed at McLaren Port Huron

Port Huron, MI — The McLaren Port Huron Board of Trustees has appointed Eric Cecava, MBA, as President and CEO of McLaren Port Huron effective Monday, Aug. 3.  Cecava succeeds Jennifer Montgomery, who accepted a new position at St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, Ohio.

Cecava has served as Chief Operating Officer at McLaren Port Huron since December 2018. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the $40 million construction project of the North Tower, which included renovating inpatient units and the lab as well as building a new cardiovascular lab and office space for nursing administration and hospitalists.  He also led several hospital-wide process improvement initiatives to enhance service and quality.

“I am delighted that Eric has accepted the position, and I am confident he will continue to serve the hospital and the Blue Water community with the excellent leadership he has demonstrated over the past 18 months,” says Mona Armstrong, McLaren Port Huron’s chairwoman of the McLaren Port Huron Board of Trustees.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to deliver on the promise of providing high-quality, accessible health care close to home,” Cecava said.  “I was drawn to McLaren Port Huron in 2018 because of McLaren’s great reputation across the state of Michigan, and I was attracted to the beauty of the Thumb region and the friendliness of people in the community. That feeling became even more evident as I interacted with the Board of Trustees, leadership, employees and the medical staff.”

Prior to joining McLaren Port Huron, Cecava served as Chief Operating Officer at Adena Health System in south central Ohio.  He holds an MBA from the Ohio State University.  A student of the renowned Lean Six Sigma process improvement methodology, he is a certified Black Belt.  He and his wife, Pam, have one son and live in Fort Gratiot.