Residents

GTCHD ADDS COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABILITY After the holiday week in which many gathered and celebrated, the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) added additional free, rapid COVID-19 testing availability at its main health department campus building. Over the past week, the GTCHD did 69 tests compared to an average of just under 14 over the Read More…

In anticipation of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the 12-15 year age group, the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is now expanding its scheduling survey to include the 12-15 age group. If you are interested in having your child receive a vaccine, please complete the Read More…

While Northwest Michigan College’s Hagerty Center has served as the primary vaccination clinic site in Grand Traverse County over the last four months, the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) continues to partner with community agencies and mobilize outreach clinics throughout the county to make the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible for all. In an effort Read More…

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today updated its COVID-19 Gatherings and Face Masks epidemic order to encourage safer outdoor activities as spring and summer bring warmer weather and new opportunities to go outdoors. Under the new order, which goes into effect Thursday, May 6 and continues through Monday, May 31, masks are generally not required outdoors unless a gathering has 100 or more people.  In addition, anyone who is fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms is not required Read More…

MDHHS ANNOUNCES ‘MI VACC TO NORMAL’ PLAN On Thursday, April 29, Governor Whitmer along with the Michigan Department of Health andHuman Services (MDHHS) presented the ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan which focuses on phasedreopening based on vaccination rates. As the state continues to push toward its goal ofvaccinating at least 70% of residents ages 16 Read More…

The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is alerting those coming to Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Hagerty Center for a COVID-19 vaccination of construction plans that will affect entry and exit to the building. Starting on May 3, 2021, construction will begin at the main entrance of NMC’s Hagerty Center, extending south toward E. Front Read More…

Following the recommendation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 years or older. Read More…

SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINATION IMMEDIATELY – NO WAIT TIME!This week, the GTCHD finished scheduling link emails to all those waiting in the queue for a vaccine. Moving forward, those interested in getting a vaccine appointment at NMC’s Hagerty Center will be able to fill out thesurvey and immediately schedule an appointment. If the offered dates and Read More…

The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is announcing several school-based vaccination clinics to reach high schoolers, ages 16 and older, over the next few weeks. With continued partnerships with area schools, the health department will be vaccinating all that qualify and making it convenient for students, parents and the school. The timing will also Read More…

Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended its Gatherings and Mask epidemic order. The Order – which preserves the strongest public health order in the Midwest – is designed to balance day-to-day activities while controlling the spread of COVID-19 and saving Michiganders’ lives. The order expands mask requirement to children ages Read More…

Order expands mask requirement to children ages 2-4 as recommended by American Academy of Pediatrics LANSING, MICH. Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended its Gatherings and Mask epidemic order. The Order – which preserves the strongest public health order in the Midwest – is designed to balance day-to-day activities while controlling the spread of COVID-19 and saving Michiganders’ lives. It Read More…

To ensure continued equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) is holding a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Golden Fellowship Hall (9700 Riley Road Interlochen, MI 49643) on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic will be administering first dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines on April Read More…

Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD) wants the public to know that all appointments scheduled at the Fife Lake satellite clinic on Friday, April 16, 2021 will be honored as first dose appointments with the Pfizer vaccine with a scheduled return date of Friday, May 7, 2021 for the second dose. This comes on the Read More…

For Immediate Release:April 13, 2021GTCHD vaccinations clinics still being held;Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine use pausedGrand Traverse County Health Department will still hold its COVID-19 clinics this week, but will shift to using Pfizer vaccine. Per the recommendation of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, all previously scheduled Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Read More…

A NOTE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICER This week we celebrate National Public Health Week, an annual week to recognize the importance of public health. I would like to thank all the public health professionals doing the hard work to keep our communities safe amidst the most challenging public health crisis of our lifetimes. We are Read More…

To ensure equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Grand Traverse County Health Department is mobilizing satellite vaccine clinics throughout the county in the coming weeks and months. The first satellite clinic is scheduled at Fife Lake Township Office (134 Morgan St. Fife Lake,MI 49633) on Friday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read More…

CURRENT NUMBERS and TRENDS  Even with vaccinations being administered at a rapid rate in Grand Traverse County, cases continue to rise in the county and region. As of March 26th, the 7-day average of new cases was up to 36 per day, which continues to increase weekly. To see direct data, visit our dashboard.  Some Read More…

Through routine surveillance performed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories, two cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 were identified in Grand Traverse County residents. Initial and follow-up case investigations and contact tracing have been completed for these cases and their contacts. A 14-day quarantine – without the option Read More…