Allegan County Monday partially activated the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the request of Health Officer Angelique Joynes to help Public Health in directing resources and personnel related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, there are no confirmed cases in Allegan County, but health officials, public safety and the medical community are monitoring this carefully. Thirteen Emergency Support Functions (ESF) attended by conference call and EOC meeting to discuss goals, objectives, and strategies to combat the pandemic.

Time also was set aside to discuss the 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, a potential for creating additional burdens for county governments.

The Allegan County Health Department has set up a hotline from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, 269-686-4546. The 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,” a social media site to encourage collaboration among non-profit and volunteers to help those in need during COVID-19 get access to necessities.