URGENT COVID-19 Memorandum
November 20, 2020
Dear parents,
Spectrum Health and the District #10 Health Department want to applaud you and local schools for your continual diligence in practicing safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19. We are encouraged by the responsible way parents are notifying schools when symptoms or exposures occur. Thank you!
Despite this good work, the number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased dramatically in the past two weeks. Most often, these cases are due to social interactions when people were closer than six feet and masks were not worn.
We are very concerned this trend will continue and the impact it will have on the care we’re able to provide you locally. We are already seeing alarming capacity complications and staffing difficulties at our hospitals.
We can all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We implore you to follow social distancing guidelines, wear masks when in public and wash your hands often.
We understand “COVID fatigue” is real, and that it has been a very difficult year for many. However, this is not the time to let our guard down. Rather, we must double down our efforts as the virus is spreading throughout our communities in record numbers.
Like schools and public health, local hospitals are dealing with staff shortages due to illness and quarantine. Our local businesses and other organizations are also feeling the impact of sick employees.
Health care providers and workers follow infection prevention and control guidelines within the hospitals and care facilities, but they also need the support of the community. These same precautionary measures help protect the healthcare workers, who are taking care of those who are sick, so they can continue to provide patient care to their communities.
This is a critical time for our entire community. With the holidays coming up, we are asking everyone to do these four things to reduce the spread of the virus: Wear a mask in public spaces. Stay at least six feet away from others. Wash your hands frequently. And notify your school as soon as your child develops symptoms or is known to have been exposed to the virus.
Please see the attachment for CDC guidelines and information regarding quarantine and isolation protocols. Additionally, please visit https://www.spectrumhealth.org... and https://www.dhd10.org/coronavi... for updates and more information.
Only together will we be able to meet this challenge and keep our children safe and our community healthy.
Regards,
Drew Dostal, RN, MBA, FACHE
Regional Market Leader/President
Spectrum Health Ludington and Gerber Memorial Hospitals
Kevin Hughes, MSA
Health Officer
District #10 Health Department
Muskegon Integrated Care Clinic