Please text  VBCDHD to 1-855-706-1919 to receive relevant and up-to-date education and information regarding your (Covid-19) illness.

 

Michiganders urged to have a COVID-19 plan: test, mask, talk to your doctor ahead of time

 

Click HERE for COVID-19 Vaccine information

 

 

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For the most recent data in Michigan go to:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus   or   Dashboard | CDC | MI Start Map

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CDC: Isolation and Precautions for people with COVID-19

 

What to Do if You Were Exposed to COVID-19

 

VBCDHD is working closely with our local medical community to address COVID-19

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has FREE At-Home COVID-19 test kits and face masks available.

Call 269-621-3143 or stop by one of our offices for more information.  In Lawrence, see us at 260 South Street or in Dowagiac see us at 302 South Front Street.

 

LOCAL CARE ADVISORS AND COVID-19 TEST FINDER
GET TESTED... If you feel sick - If someone close to you is sick or has symptoms - If you work outside the home. 

 

Don't Bring COVID-19 Home. Get Tested Today At No Cost. Find a Testing Site Near You using MDHHS COVID-19 Test Finder:

 

Care Advisor Phone Numbers and Web Pages:

Ascension Borgess Lee
https://healthcare.ascension.org/covid-19.
Those wishing to make a Convenient Care appointment can call (269) 783-3052.
Ascension Online Care can be found at  https://ascensiononlinecare.org/landing.htm.
 
 
 
Family Fare in Paw Paw, 847 S Kalamazoo St Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Appointments can be made at https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/.
Learn more about how it works and other Family Fares that are participating here: https://www.shopfamilyfare.com/covid-19-testing  

Hope Community Church
Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest
 2390 Lake Street, Niles. 
Mondays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursdays 12 – 7 p.m. 
Free saliva tests, does not require ID or insurance, is available for any age (including infants), and anticipates a 3-4 day result turnaround.

InterCare Health Network
(855) 869-6900
https://www.intercare.org/covid-19.html 
*Drive-thru testing is available in Bangor (Wednesdays 9am-3pm), Pullman (Tuesdays 9am-3pm), and Benton Harbor (see site for list of days/times).  Individuals do not have to bring a lab order.
 
Spectrum Health Lakeland
(616) 391-2380
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/covid19
 
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3 Key Steps to Take While Waiting for Your COVID-19 Test Result
COVID-19 VACCINE Resources

Where to Find Assistance and Resources

Where can I get a COVID Test?
Don't Bring COVID-19 Home.  Get Tested Today At No Cost.  CLICK HERE TO FIND A TEST SITE or Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136, press 2 for help finding a test site.

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has FREE At-Home COVID-19 test kits and face masks available. Call 269-621-3143 or stop by one of our offices for more information. 

In Lawrence, see us at 260 South Street or

in Dowagiac see us at 302 South Front Street.

 

Public Guidance for AT-HOME COVID-19 Testing

 

 

COVID-19 COMPLAINTS: Have a concern related to health and safety?
FREQUENTLY ASKED COVID-19 QUESTIONS

Have a question? See MDHHS Frequently asked  COVID-19 QUESTIONS page

MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline (8am-5pm)

(888) 535-6136
www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

Schools
MI COVID ALERT - learn about the APP

Stay safe. Protect each other.

MI COVID ALERT APP

 

MI COVID Alert is a free app for your mobile phone. It will help us to notify each other and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan.

Using the MI COVID Alert app along with the existing public health measures will help us all stay safe when we meet up, socialize, work or travel.

MI COVID Alert uses Bluetooth signal strength over time to measure and record whether two devices using the app have been close to each other. It can then notify users of the app of possible past exposure to COVID-19 when another user later submits confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test. For example, if two app users are within six (6) feet of each other for at least 15 minutes and one of those users tests positive for COVID-19 one week later, that index case user can trigger anonymous push notifications to other app users with whom they may have had contact in the past. The other user, from one week earlier, would receive an anonymous notification letting them know that they may have been exposed, and what next steps they should consider. The app does not track location or geolocate individuals in any way.

For more information on how the app functions, visit www.michigan.gov/MICOVIDalert

MASK UP MICHIGAN!

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has FREE At-Home COVID-19 test kits and face masks available. Call 269-621-3143 or stop by one of our offices for more information. 

In Lawrence, see us at 260 South Street or

in Dowagiac see us at 302 South Front Street.

 

Click here for A Toolkit FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD WEAR A MASK DURING COVID-19

 

NEED ASSISTANCE?

> Call 2-1-1 from any phone to be connected to a list of statewide resources for everything from food and diapers to rental assistance. You can also search the 211 online database.

>Mental Health Resources: Stay Home. Stay Well - www.Michigan.gov/StayWell ifyou are feeling emotional distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, help is available. There are many ways to connect with emotional support

Mindfulness and Stress Resilience Activities

4/17/2020 Area Agency on Aging and United Way Team Up to Deliver Shelf Stable Food to Seniors

> Mental Health Resources - Clinicians are available for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Anyone who wishes to speak to a mental health clinician can do so by calling the following numbers: Woodlands Behavioral Health (Cass County) 269-445-2541 or 800-323-0335  Van Buren Community Mental Health (VB County) 800-922-1418

 

> Apply for Benefits, Manage Your Case, and Explore Resources. MIBridges offers a number of programs to help you and your family with temporary assistance when times are tough.

> United Way of Southwest Michigan (local): for emergency updates, links to trusted sources, food distribution sites, and self-care strategies:  https://www.uwsm.org/emergency-preparedness-response 

> SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster, call 1-800-985-5990.

> The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has some helpful tips and strategies from  mental health professionals to help you or a loved one struggling with anxiety around the coronavirus or with general health anxiety concerns. The ADAA blog posts and videos contain information about the virus and helpful tips about how to mitigate against increased anxiety.  

>Stay home, stay MIndful. -  Headspace.com.  This special collection of meditation, sleep, and movement exercises are designed to help you keep a strong and healthy mind in the midst of this global health crisis.

 

MDHHS EPIDEMIC ORDERS
From the Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer
GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES

Michigan.gov COVID-19 Workplace Safety:  https://www.michigan.gov/leo/initiatives/COVID-19-Workplace-Safety

 

 

Resources
Información- español

VBCDHD Updates & Press Releases

VBCDHD Updates
Effective 01/31/2022, FDA Grants Full Approval to the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
Effective Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Van Buren Cass District Health Department will have COVID-19 vaccine available for Children ages 5-11 years by APPOINTMENT. Click the link BELOW to schedule an appointment.
 
 
 
4/7/2022 MDHHS expands partnership with libraries to 70 sites - offering free at-home testing kits to Michiganders
3/9/2022 Changes to CDC COVID-19 Guidance and Recommendations

2/18/2022 VanBuren/Cass District Health Department Updates Mask Guidance

2/16/2022 MDHHS updates mask guidance as state enters a post-surge recovery phase
2/8/2022 Free KN95 Masks Distributed by Van Buren/Cass District Health Department
02/07/2022 MDHHS News Release: Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 are urged to talk to their health care providers about treatment with oral medications. Eligibility criteria for antivirals expanding in include more at-risk Michiganders

 

 

1/10/2022 Omicron Variant Identified in Cass County

1/03/2022 Omicron Variant Identified in Van Buren County

12/27/2021 CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

12/28/2021 VBCDHD COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

12/31/2021 MDHHS Updates Quarantine Guidance

September 24, 2021 -MEDIA RELEASE: Van Buren/Cass District Health Department Confirms COVID-19 Associated Death of a Student in Van Buren County - Calls on community and state leaders to help contain the spread of COVID
July 28, 2021 LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT - Face Mask Recommendations

News Release_COVID contact tracing priority shift_11.11.2020

10/6/2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: VBCDHD Local Response to COVID-19 Supreme Court Ruling_Press Release_10.6.2020  Van Buren/Cass District Health Department Maintains the Importance of Precautionary Measures to Prevent COVID-19.  Despite legal uncertainty, stay the course on COVID-19 guidelines as cases continue to surge.

7/14/2020 Growing Data Show Hispanic/Latino Communities Being Hit Disproportionately by COVID-19 - Health Department Officials focus efforts on prevention

7/14/2020 Cada vez más datos muestran que las comunidades de hispanos/latinos resultan afectadas en forma desproporcionada por el COVID-19 -
Funcionarios del Departamento de Salud enfocan sus esfuerzos en la prevención  

5/21/2020  Kick Off a Safer Summer_News Release_VB Cass DHD

5/19/2020  Van Buren Cass District Health Deaprtment launch a dedicated webpage to assist Cass and Van Buren county businesses and organizations with reopening safely: https://vbcassdhd.org/guidance-for-businesses-reopening/ as well as provide a Guidance for Reopening Local Toolkit.

4/30/2020 Access to Homemade Fabric Face Coverings Increase in VB and Cass County_News Release

3/26/2020 Van Buren Cass District Health Department Announces First Positive case of COVID-19 in Cass County

3/24/2020 Van Buren Cass District Health Department Announces First Positive Case of COVID-19 in Van Buren County

3/20/2020 Van Buren/Cass District Health Department TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

3/19/2020 Van Buren/Cass District Health Department COVID-19 PREVENTION GUIDANCE FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS rev

3/13/2020 Van Buren/Cass District Health Department LETTER TO LTC & ADULT CARE FACILITIES

3/11/2020 UPDATE Van Buren/Cass District Health Department LETTER TO OUR PARTNERS IN HEALTH

3/2/2020  Van Buren/Cass District Health Department RESPONSE: WHAT WE ARE DOING?

Michigan.gov Press Releases & Coronavirus News

Michigan.gov Press Releases CORONAVIRUS NEWS

4/21/2022 press release:MDHHS reminds Michigan residents to test, get vaccinated and boosted as COVID-19 cases expected to rise through May

 

12/27/2021 CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

12/28/2021 VBCDHD COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

12/31/2021 MDHHS Updates Quarantine Guidance

 
 August 10 2021 MDHHS Face Mask Recommendations
July 27, 2021 CDC: When You've Been Fully Vaccinated - How to Protect Yourself and Others

2.2.2021 Updated MDHHS Orders Expand Restaurant Capacity, Increase Gathering and Capacity Limits, Allow for Expanded Visitation at Residential Care Facilities

01-04-2021Amendment to Gatherings and Face Mask Order

12-23-2020  MDHHS Updates priority group guidance for COVID-19 vaccination

12.15.2020 Press Release: MDHHS asks Michiganders to "Mask Up, Mask Right"

12-15-2020 Press Release: New online tool allows Michiganders to learn their risk of COVID-19

CV19 CheckUp

12.7.2020 MDHHS extends the Gatherings and Face Mask Order through December 20, 2020

11.15.2020 MDHHS issues three-week epidemic order to save lives, protect frontline heroes during fall COVID-19 surge  Learn About the November 18 Epidemic Order

 

Healthcare.gov

Health insurance enrollment deadlines are fast approaching for people who lost their health insurance due to layoffs, reduced hours, or a change in income during the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of low or no-cost health care options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Consumers in these situations must sign up for health insurance within 60 days, which is coming soon for people who were impacted in the early weeks of the COVID-19 response.

To determine eligibility, consumers should visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if they need assistance.

COVID-19 Video Update from the Medical Director *NEW 12.03.20