Waterford, Michigan – A number of community and veterans organizations are joining forces to host a food drive and special Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 9 a.m. – noon, at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 West Woodward Heights, Hazel Park.

Oakland County Veterans’ Services has partnered with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Oakland Community Health Network, Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development, Oakland County Michigan Works! and South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce to offer food and a variety of resources to all veterans, as well as active duty, guard and reserve service men and women, and their families.

“Our communities continue to rebound from the pandemic, but we know our proud veterans, as well as active duty and reserve personnel, are still struggling,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “They served us and now we’re serving them through resource fairs that provide food and other invaluable services, no matter their age, health or work status. Our goal is to help out as many local veterans and service personnel as possible.”

There is no cost to participate in this event, but registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-resource-fair-tickets-165320950413.

Products and services provided to veterans by Oakland County include:

• Free, nonperishable food boxes.
• Completing an application for the COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program.
• Assistance from Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development, with completing a Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief grant application and housing counseling Career planning, training programs, and job search resources on a priority basis from Oakland County Michigan Works!,
• Counseling to address behavioral health issues and other concerns from the Oakland Community Health Network

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans dealing with food and housing insecurity has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2018 study in Women’s Health Issues indicated 28 percent of female veterans were “food insufficient.”

Another study by the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans in 2015 found of those who were homeless or at-risk of being so, 50 percent experienced food insecurity. Census Bureau data indicates about 1.3 million veterans use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“There are about 60,000 U.S. veterans in Oakland County and, while the majority of them are financially stable, we know there are many who aren’t. They have certainly earned our help,” said Garth Wootten, manager, Oakland County Veterans’ Services. “This resource fair will provide food for their families and introduce them to the variety of services available to them today, from disability compensation to VA health care to employment services and more.”

Questions about the Veterans Resource Fair should be directed to Joy Wells, executive director, South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce, at [email protected] or 248-542-2160.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division has begun administering third doses of COVID-19 vaccine to immunocompromised residents at its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield. In addition, the Health Division will host third dose clinics in Novi, Pontiac, Rochester, and Southfield next week. An appointment is recommended but walk-ups are welcome.

“If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or you are on immunosuppressive medications or treatments, you may receive a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after your second dose,” Oakland County Health Division Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust said. “The additional vaccine dose should be the same as the first two doses you received, but you do not have to visit the same provider. Individuals should not receive more than three vaccine doses.”

Those who should consider a third dose include those who have:

• Received an organ or stem cell transplant
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People with chronic health conditions should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition to determine if getting an additional dose is appropriate.

Federal health officials announced today that anyone who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will be able to get a booster eight months after their second dose. The Health Division is developing plans to roll out the booster to Oakland County residents beginning late September or early October contingent upon guidance from the CDC. The county will release further details in the coming weeks.

Oakland County Health Division will release its guidance for Oakland County schools to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in the classroom and at school-related activities this week. The goal is to keep kids in school for in person learning. The guidance will recognize that each school district may not be able to implement every prevention strategy. The Health Division will strongly encourage all students, teachers and staff wear masks, physical distancing, and hand washing as among the key strategies to reduce Covid-19 transmission in schools. These strategies may also reduce disruption of in person learning by eliminating close contact exposures resulting in quarantine.

“Each school district in Oakland County has its own unique set of circumstances, student and staff demographics, and environmental conditions. We’re not expecting schools to integrate every single mitigation strategy in our guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but to implement the ones they can,” Oakland County Health and Human Services Director Leigh-Anne Stafford said. “We also are reminding parents that they are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus. So, please have your children wear masks regardless of vaccine status and keep them home if they have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.”

The Health Division’s guidance to schools will affirm the best practices and recommendations of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC. The document will reflect previous guidance issued when classes resumed in the spring with a few adjustments for the coming school year.

Of the 1,960 new COVID-19 cases in Oakland County from July 28-August 10, 17 percent were 18 years old or younger and 23 percent were 19-29 years old. The data underscore the importance of mitigating the spread of the virus among school-age and college-age students. Oakland County’s seven-day case average stands at 164 cases per day or 1,148 new cases per week as of August 17. Over 53,000 Oakland County residents 12-19 years old remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 while nearly 69,000 residents 20-29 years old have not received a COVID-19 immunization.

The Oakland County Health Division is holding daily vaccine clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at both its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield in addition to pop-up clinics in the community. Click on OaklandCountyVaccine.com to locate the nearest Health Division vaccine clinic. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for more information.

The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of August 13, 2021:

Total eligible residents 16 and older: 1,029,737

• Number of residents 16 and older who have received first dose: 737,236
• Number of residents 16 and older who have completed vaccination: 683,683
• Vaccine coverage for residents 16 and older: 71.6 percent

Total eligible residents 12 and older: 1,091,389

• Number of residents 12 and older who have received first dose: 768,061
• Number of residents 12 years and older who have completed vaccination: 709,986
• Vaccine coverage for residents 12 and older: 70.4 percent

Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676

• Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 186,192
• Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 178,022
• Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 85.5 percent

Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,429,045

• Total doses administered within Oakland County: 1,425,413
• Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: 99.7%

Waterford, Michigan – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 12 Oakland County communities met the challenging performance standards required to receive national accreditation from Main Street America, Chicago: Berkley, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Highland, Holly, Lake Orion, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester and Royal Oak.

This annual accreditation process recognizes a Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) community’s exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

“During a challenging year, our Main Street communities worked tirelessly to ensure their downtowns and commercial districts remained open, vital and vibrant for their residents and visitors,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “They were critical partners in getting re-open kits, restaurant equipment and grant funding to their small businesses and they continue to play a critical role in this next stage of economic recovery.”

Each community is evaluated in 10 categories where they must meet or exceed the requirements. The accreditation process scores the communities on criteria such as community support, a historic preservation, mission and vision statements, having a paid professional manager and ongoing training.

The MSOC coordinating program was launched in 2000, and seven communities have received national accreditation for 10 or more years.

“To be recognized as an Accredited Main Street Community for 16 consecutive years is a great source of pride for our organization and our community. We are grateful for the support and resources we receive from Main Street Oakland County in our ongoing efforts to ensure that Downtown Rochester is a vibrant place that our community is proud to call home,” said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director, Rochester Downtown Development Authority.

Franklin, Lathrup Village, South Lyon and Wixom have received designation from Main Street America as an affiliate Main Street program in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns and commercial districts. In total, there are 25 MSOC communities at various service or membership levels.

Main Street is a trademarked program of the National Main Street Center. Oakland County is the first and only county in the U.S. to operate a full-service, countywide Main Street coordinating program. To date, nearly $963 million in public and private investments have been made to Main Street Oakland County downtowns, helping to establish 1,254 new businesses and generating 8,303 jobs.