95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kent County Health Department issues Public Health Warning

picture of Kent County Health Department sign
WGVU

The Kent County Health Department has issued a Public Health Warning.

The 7-day average for new COVID-19 cases is 682 cases per day. That’s 100 more cases per day on average than last week. With test positivity rates climbing to 16.2% the Kent County Health Department says its reaching “dangerous levels” 

“And most concerning of all, our death rate is continuing to increase. We’re now at 263 deaths here in Kent County and we’re seeing an average of 6.2 new deaths each day here in Kent County. And that’s, of course, the most concerning of all of these measures.”

Dr. Adam London is administrative health officer at the Kent County Health Department. Taken together, the department is issuing this Public Health Warning:

“The warning advises against indoor residential gatherings of people from multiple households, including over the holidays. Guidelines urge businesses to strictly adhere to workplace protocols and encourage the public to support local businesses using pickup and delivery whenever possible, minimizing time spent inside public spaces. K-8 schools are reminded to diligently follow face covering, distancing and health screening guidelines. Expanding on the current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) orders, high schools are advised to continue remote learning through January 15, 2021. Parents are cautioned to prevent children from gathering with friends outside of school hours and during periods of remote learning. Houses of worship are encouraged to temporarily discontinue large in-person gatherings. Finally, sports and recreational activities not covered by the current MDHHS order and that require close contact are also not advised at this time.”

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.