Health Department

Joel Strasz - Public Health Officer
Andre Reed - Deputy Health Officer
Emily Nelson - Public Health Nursing Services Manager
Melissa Opheim - Public Health Services Manager/EPC
Amy Revette - WIC Manager
Mark Pickell - Business Services Manager
Joel Kwiatkowski - Environmental Health Manager
Dr. Thomas Bender - Medical Director
Dr. William Morrone - Medical Examiner
Bay County Health Department
1200 Washington Avenue
Bay City, Michigan 48708
Voice: (989) 895-4009
Fax: (989) 895-4014

Press Releases

2023 Press Releases

BCHD Hosts Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, Shares Guidance on Protecting Against Respiratory Viruses this Season

Prevention and Control of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Prevent Mosquito-Borne Illness: West Nile Virus detected in Bay County

Bay County Health Department Promotes Safe Marijuana Storage

Bay County Health Department Partners with My Community Dental Centers on Kindergarten Round Up Event

Two Rabies-positive Bats Detected in Bay County

BCHD Recommends Caution as Air Quality Index Categorized as Unhealthy

Bay County Health Department Provides Information About the End of the Public Health Emergency Declaration for COVID-19

Bay County Health Department Recognizes World Tuberculosis Day

Bay County Health Department Acknowledges National Groundwater Awareness Week


2022 Press Releases

Bay County Health Department Completes Project to Map and Inventory Septic Systems within the Kawkawlin River Watershed Area

Bay County Health Department Hosts Walk-in Clinic Day for Flu Shots on Oct. 24

Bay County Health Department and Molina Healthcare Collaborate on offering Vaccinations and Health Screenings for Kindergarteners Going Back to School

With Cases Rising Locally, Bay County Health Department Provides Rapid Test Kits

Monkeypox virus (MPV) evaluation, testing, treatment, and vaccination for post-exposure prophylaxis

Bay County Health Department and Department on Aging Provides KN95 Face Masks and Rapid Test Kits


2021 Press Releases
November 3, 2021 - Bay County Health Department Provides Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Starting November 5th

September 24, 2021 - BAY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDES THIRD DOSE, BOOSTER SHOTS FOR PFIZER BIONTECH STARTING SEPTEMBER 25

August 18, 2021 - Bay County Health Department Provides Updated COVID-19 Prevention Recommendations; Vaccination, Face Masks Highly Recommended.

June 17, 2021 - Bay County Adds Clinic Dates, Reminds Residents of Importance of Vaccination Before July 4th Holiday

May 10, 2021 - Bay County Updates COVID Guidance for Quarantines, Expands Clinic Times to Evenings

April 1, 2021 - COVID-19 Variant P.1 (Brazil) Identified in Bay County, BCHD and MDHHS Warn of Increased Transmission Risks During Spring Break and Easter Holiday

March 26, 2021 - COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.7 Identified in Bay County

March 10, 2021 - Vaccine Clinics Require Appointment

March 5, 2021 - Expansion of Access of COVID-19 Vaccine in Bay County

February 12, 2021 - Confirmation of COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Email

January 27, 2021 - Telephone Registration for the COVID-19 Vaccine in Bay County - 989-308-1828


2020 Press Releases

December 30, 2020 - Inaccurate Information Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Registration on Facebook

December 23, 2020 - With COVID-19 Cases Decreasing & Vaccines Coming Soon, Bay County Needs to remain Vigilant through the Holiday Season

December 22, 2020 - Bay County Invites Healthcare and other Critical Infrastructure Workers to Register Online to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

November 24, 2020 - Bay County Health Department Issues Emergency Order – 2020-5: Guidance and Reporting for Covid-19 Positive Workers in Bay County

November 19, 2020 - McLaren and Bay County Health Department Ask Local Residents to Act Immediately with COVID-19 Cases Increasing

November 8, 2020 - Joint Press Release from Bay County Health Department and McLaren Bay Region: COVID-19 Cases Increasing and Unprecedented Rates

November 3, 2020 - Bay County Health Department Provides Tools for Public to Assist in COVID-19 Contract Tracing During Current Surge of Cases

October 2, 2020 - COVID-19 Testing Available at Delta College on Saturday, October 3, 2020

September 10, 2020 - Emergency Order 2020-4 - Guidance for Control of COVID-19 Pandemic

July 2, 2020 - Emergency Order 2020-3 - Guidance and Continued COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring of Workers in Bay County

July 1, 2020 - Great American Man Cave Potential Community Exposure

June 5, 2020 - County Facilities Opening to the Public

May 19, 2020 - ReopenBayCounty Website Launched for the Business Community

April 14, 2020 - Reminder for Daily Health Status Monitoring by All Healthcare Workers

April 11, 2020 - Bay County Reports First COVID-19 Related Fatality

April 9, 2020 - Easter Traditions and Faith Based Services

April 6, 2020 - Infection Risk from Visiting Public Accommodations

April 2, 2020 - Health Office, Joel Strasz, Issues Emergency Order 2020-2 for Control of COVID-19 Pandemic

March 31, 2020 - Health Officer. Joel Strasz, Issues Emergency Order 2020-1 for Control of COVID-19 Pandemic

March 25, 2020 - Third Bay County Individual Tests Positive for Coronavirus

March 24, 2020 - Bay County Courts Updated Local Administrative Order Limiting Public Access

March 23, 2020 - Second Bay County Individual Tests Positive for Coronavirus

March 23, 2020 - Governor Whitmer Signs Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order

March 21, 2020 - Guidance Regarding Attendance at Worship Services in Bay County

March 20, 2020 - Rumors Regarding Coronavirus in Bay County

March 19, 2020 - Bay County Courts have Limited Access to the General Public

March 19, 2020 - COVID-19 Testing Criteria and Availability

March 19, 2020 - COVID-19 Symptoms -Fitness for Duty and Return to Work Guidance

March 18, 2020 - Property Tax Foreclosure Extension

March 18, 2020 - Bay County Courts - Local Administrative Order Limiting Public Access

March 18, 2020 - MDHHS Clients Receiving Spam Calls

March 17, 2020 - County Executive Jim Barcia Declares Local State of Emergency for Bay County

March 17, 2020 - Coronavirus Update - Press Conference to Follow 4:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting Today

March 16, 2020 - Bay County Facility Closure

March 16, 2020 - Public Access to the Register of Deeds Office due to COVID-19 Virus

March 14, 2020 - COVID-19 Precaution: New Options for Payment to the Bay County Treasurer

March 14, 2020 - COVID-19 Testing - Information for Physicians

March 14, 2020 - Bay County Clinic Operations

March 14, 2020 - Important and Practical information for Bay County Residents

March 13, 2020 - Bay County Community Center and Bay County Civic Arena Closures

March 13, 2020 - Meal Site and Activity Center Closures

March 13, 2020 - Bay County Individual Tests Positive for Coronavirus

March 13, 2020 - Letter to Bay County Food Service Facilities

My Community Dental Center (MCDC) Now Open and Offering Affordable & Quality Dental Care in Bay County


2019 Press Releases

Health Department Warns of 'Spoofing' Phone Scams

Health Department News Release - Filter Distribution in Essexville

Lifting of Closure - S. Linwood and Brissette Beach 6/24/19 

Beach Closure - Brissette Beach 6/21/19 

Beach Closure - S. Linwood Beach 6/20/19

Lifting of Closure - S. Linwood and Brissette Beach 6/17/19 

Lifting of Kawkawlin River Advisory - 6/15/19 

Lifting of Closure - S. Linwood Beach 6/13/19 

Beach Closures - Brissette and Wenona Beaches - 5/29/19

Hearing and Vision Screening 

 


2018 Press Releases

Bat Found in Bay County Tested Positive for Rabies

Increase in Norovirus Cases 

Hearing and Vision Screening

Flu Vaccination Clinics 

Bay County Health Department Receives Directors Award 

 


2017 Press Releases

Rise in Flu Cases

Hearing and Vision

Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule 

Hepatitis A News Release 

World AIDS Day 

 


2016 Press Releases

Lead Testing in Bay County

Rise in Flu Cases

Community Nursing Award

Household Hazardous Waste 

Beach Closure

Hearing and Vision Schedule

Flu Clinic Schedule 


2015 Press Releases

University Clinic Opening

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Heroin/Opiate Overdose Advisory

Hearing and Vision Screenings

Flu Vaccination Clinics 


2014 Press Releases

March is National Nutrution Month

County Health Rankings

National Public Health Week

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Bay County Health Department Begins Mercury Collections


2013 Press Releases

2013 County Health Rankings Now Available

Bay County Health Department Receives Oral Health Mini Grant

2013-2014 Hearing and Vision Screening Program

Avian Influenza (H7N9)>

Fall Flu Vaccination Clinics

Household Hazardous Waste Removal

Linwood Meningitis Case


2012 Press Releases

Patient Notifications Extended to Anyone Who Received ANY Injectable Medication From NECC

Meningitis Information for the Community

6 Confirmed Meningitis Cases in Michigan

West Nile Virus Found in Bay County Mosquitoes

Summer Heat Safety

2012/2013 Hearing and Vision Screening Program

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Fall Flu Clinic