The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department is working closely with two vulnerable population facilities, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Medilodge of Kalamazoo, who have individuals who tested positive for coronavirus
One resident of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has tested positive for COVID-19 and is being isolated at a separate facility. Four additional residents were exposed to this individual, and they are being quarantined and monitored at this time. The Health & Community Services Department has completed contact tracing and all residents and employees with potential exposure have been notified.
They have been following all recommended strategies to protect their residents and employees from COVID-19, including but not limited to screening all residents and employees and limiting use of communal spaces
“It’s a blessing that we have gone without any positives for the past almost 40 days into this pandemic," said pastor Michael Brown from the Mission. "I am encouraged but the quick response of the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, and the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission staff, to move the affected individual into quarantine. This will help to ensure the health and safety of our staff and guests.”
The 17 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 at Medilodge of Kalamazoo are being isolated in their rooms within a specific unit of the facility. All group activities have been canceled. The three (3) employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 are isolating at home and are no longer in contact with any of the residents.
Currently all residents and family members are in the process of being notified of the positive cases and steps are being taken to limit further spread of the virus.
The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department continues to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), supplementary support, staff education, and infection prevention technical assistance to all community partners and long-term care facilities and nursing homes, including Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Medilodge of Kalamazoo.
To date, there have been 185 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kalamazoo County and nine deaths due to COVID-19.
