For the most Up-to-Date info on the virus and how to stop its spread,
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BEAVER ISLAND RURAL HEALTH CENTER
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center continues to operate Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm, with a provider on call 24/7. Anyone needing medical attention is asked to call the Health Center (231.448.2275) first, no walk-ins will be accepted. ALL patients will be evaluated over the phone by the provider with on-site visits scheduled for those with acute illnesses or urgent needs.
BEAVER ISLAND RURAL HEALTH CENTER
COVID-19 TRACKING
These numbers are updated and posted to www.biruralhealth.org weekly, and distributed to the BIESA, BIEMS, BIFD, and the Township Supervisors. We hope this information will be helpful to you in understanding the impact of this pandemic on our Island community.
COVID-19 is currently in all US territories and states and spreading in northern Michigan. This is the time of year when many people are typically returning from winter residences. We encourage you to stay in place, if possible, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Beaver Island.
Last Updated: October 20, 2020
| Total Patients Tested | Patients Tested Positive | Patients Tested Negative | Patients Test Results Pending | Patients Test Positive & Hospitalized | Patients Deceased |
| 198 | 6 | 190 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| *The 4 new positive cases are associated with the individual who received a positive result from out-of-state testing. All members of that party are now safely off the Island and quarantining. | |||||
**mobile users best viewed in horizontal mode for complete chart
SAD NEWS - OCTOBER 9, 2020
It is with great sadness that the Beaver Island Rural Health Center Board of Directors announces the sudden passing of the Board’s Treasurer Bill Johnson on Thursday, October 8, 2020.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced.
Board of Directors Vacancy Announcement
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center invites applications and nominations to serve on its Board of Directors.
The seven member Board seeks to fill three at large positions. Board terms are three years and directors are not compensated. The BIRHC meets every third month. Directors are expected to attend most of the meetings either in person or via audio/video conferencing.
Candidates should be team players who will champion the cause of the Health Center and be willing to contribute their time and talents to Board activities, including fundraising. Year round and seasonal residents are encouraged to apply.
Board members are not required to have a medical background but preferably can contribute expertise, guidance, and dedication in areas that strengthen the Health Center's ability and capacity to pursue its mission.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the fulfillment of the organization's mission, strategic planning, financial oversight, fundraising and contributing to organizational growth through dedicated committee and teamwork.
To apply, please send a letter which states your interest and provides the Selection Committee a little about yourself. Letters may be emailed to tammy@biruralhealth.org (place "Board Application” in your "Subject” line) or mailed to the BIRHC Selection Committee, PO Box 146, Beaver Island, MI 49782. Mailed application letters must be received by Saturday November 14, 2020. Emailed applications must be received by midnight November 14, 2020.
More information about the Health Center operations and services, as well as the Board of Directors may be found on the BIRHC webpages: biruralhealth.org
The Selection Committee will begin reviewing applications and scheduling interviews in early December. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please email tammv@biruralhealth.org or phone: 231-448-2275.
For updated Beaver Island information click on the "Coronavirus 19" Link on either township's homepage peainetwp.org or stjamestwp.org
Get the latest Charlevoix County info at http://www.nwhealth.org/covid19.html
State of Michigan info at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
And National updates at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
“Protect Yourself, Protect the Island”!
How can you help during the coronavirus outbreak? - March 21, 2020
Here are some ways to help make sure vulnerable residents in our Island community are cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aid local nonprofits
- Support local restaurants and bars
- Assist at risk seniors
- Help “flatten the curve”
The coronavirus pandemic is posing numerous public health challenges, here in Michigan the outbreak has prompted closures of schools and businesses and is straining state, regional and local resources. Here is a way to help in our community to make sure vulnerable residents are cared for during the pandemic
Aid a local nonprofit: Many nonprofits have seen a surge in requests for assistance as the coronavirus sickens thousands of people and forces layoffs and school and restaurant closures. The Beaver Island Food Pantry is an Island nonprofit that would welcome donations.
- Beaver Island Food Pantry. The Beaver Island Food Pantry provides food items to individuals and families in need year-round. Collection points for food donations include the vestibule of the Beaver Island Christian Church, the Beaver Island Community Center, Beaver Island Rural Health Center, Fresh Air Aviation, Holy Cross Church, and Island Airways. More information about the BI Food Pantry may be found here: http://bichristianchurch.com/?page_id=395
Assist at risk seniors: Older people are among the most vulnerable to complications from coronavirus. If you know someone who is elderly and at home (or living at Forest View), consider checking in and asking if you can help shop and deliver groceries or pick up medication on their behalf.
Support local restaurants, bars and pubs: All Island food and drinking establishments have been ordered to reduce or close operations due to the outbreak. If you want to support our local eateries, bars, and pubs and those who staff them, consider ordering takeout or purchasing a gift card.
Help “flatten the curve:” One of the most important things you can do to help is protect yourself and others. Prevent the spread of the illness by practicing the CDC’s recommended guidance: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public area or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Not Sure? For additional ideas please see: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-how-to-help-donations-charities.html?searchResultPosition=4
COVID-19 Information and Beaver Island - March 21, 2020
The Beaver Island Townships of Peaine and St. James are maintaining a consolidated web page page of COVID-19 updates. The updates may be found here:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - March 19, 2020
What Michigan is Doing?
On Tuesday, March 10, Michigan’s Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency as the state’s first positive cases of COVID-19 were identified. The emergency declaration enables the state to quickly deploy resources (equipment, supplies and/or personnel) to local jurisdictions to support their response efforts in combating the spread of COVID-19. The declaration places Michigan at a heightened state of preparedness for response. All Michiganders are encouraged to follow the recommendations from MDHHS https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus and the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html to protect themselves and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Get the latest coronavirus updates from:
cdc.gov https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
michigan.gov https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98155---,00.html
Flu Shots Available – October 1, 2019
Call 448-2275 for an appointment
Dental Services Update - September 29, 2019
Dental Services will begin services again on the Island October 25 and October 26 which is a Friday and Saturday. They will start with hygienic services only and then expand when they have a Dentist on board again. Erika has selected a candidate for the Dentist’s position and has made an offer so hopefully she will have good luck there as well.
She did caution me that they already have over 70 patients signed up from the Island and they will reach out to these people first in getting their new appointments set up. Any new patients not already registered should feel free to call in, get registered, and then set up their appointments with the Clinic.
File of Life - January 1, 2019
Beaver Island EMS and the Beaver Island Rural Health Center are now providing community members with a free "File of Life." These "files" are a great way to keep pertinent medical and personal information readily available in case of an emergency. The information in these files include medical history, allergies, medications, and emergency contact information. Having this information on hand in an emergency is beneficial to responders, and can improve the quality and efficiency of care provided to a patient. The "File of Life' folder has a magnetic strip to be attached to a refrigerator to make it easily identified and utilized by Emergency Responders.
The "File of Life" will be available for free at the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and the Health Center will be available for any questions or assistance in filling out a "File of Life."
What Do I Do if I Have a Medical Emergency on Beaver Island? - January 1, 2019
If the emergency is life threatening, call 911. Remember to stay on the line, as there will be up to a 30 second delay. DO NOT HANG UP. If a 911 call is placed, EMS will respond to the scene. Depending on the situation, the patient will either be brought to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center via ambulance to be treated by the care provider on call or arrangements will be made to have the patient flown to one of the local hospitals.
If the need is urgent but not life threatening, call the Health Center at 448-2275.
The Health Center is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday (Closed 12-1 PM for lunch). Urgent patients can be seen immediately during regular hours. If you call the Health Center when it is closed your call will be automatically forwarded to the cell phone of one of our two care providers. They are on call 24 hours a day and can meet you at the clinic within 20 minutes. After evaluation by the care providers, the patient will be treated at the clinic and released, the patient will be instructed to go to the ER on his own or EMS will be notified to evacuate the patient to the appropriate hospital.
For directions or map to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, go here.
Do you have high blood pressure? - January 1, 2019
There’s only one way to know, and that is to have it checked!
Stop by the Beaver Island Rural Health Center for a free blood pressure check.
High blood pressure adds to your heart’s workload and can damage your arteries and organs over time, according to the American Heart Association. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have a stroke, more likely to develop congestive heart failure and more likely to develop coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.
High blood pressure has no symptoms, which is why it is called the “silent killer.” High blood pressure can usually be controlled by diet, more exercise and medication.
While you are at the Health Center, check on other diagnostic tests that are available to residents of the Island. Women who are ages 40 through 64 may qualify for free mammograms and Pap tests.
