ALLEGAN, MI (Press Release) – Allegan County has partially activated the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as of March 16, 2020, at 11:58 am. This is at the request of Health Officer Angelique Joynes, MPH, RN to assist Public Health in directing resources and personnel related to the COVID-19 pandemic that has emerged in the State of Michigan. To date, there are no confirmed cases in Allegan County; however, Health Officials, Public Safety, and the Medical Community are monitoring this very carefully. Yesterday an EOC briefing was held, and thirteen Emergency Support Functions (ESF) attended by conference call to discuss goals, objectives, and strategies to combat this pandemic.
In addition, time was set aside to discuss the on-going threat to homes along the shoreline due to high water levels in Lake Michigan. A brief explanation was given about how endangered structures were determined and then reported back to the state. Allegan County will continue to monitor the shoreline. Water levels are expected to rise further into the spring, causing more damage and debris. This has the potential for creating additional burdens for county governments.
The Allegan County Health Department has set up a Hotline that is attended from 8am-8pm daily, 269-686-4546. The Allegan County Emergency Management Office has set-up a recorded Information line at 269-686-4570 to provide the latest information about COVID-19 in Allegan County. Allegan County has also set up a Facebook Group page called “Feed the Need” in Allegan County. The social media site is to encourage collaboration among non-profit and volunteers to help those in need during COVID-19 get access to necessities.
