Health and Wellness

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officials are reporting an increase in respiratory illnesses. Respiratory illnesses include flu and COVID-19. As a result of this recent jump in cases, CHA Medical Director Karen Luparello is advising anyone six months and older to get a flu shot. She said vaccines for flu, COVID, whooping cough and pneumonia are available at CHA offices, …

As reported last week, Beacon Food Relief Drive is offering a boost to struggling families and individuals through its annual assistance program. Organizers said drive-thru service offers frozen meals and bagged, non-perishable items. The opportunity is Sponsored by Beacon Health Systems. Anyone in need of food assistance is asked to pull up to the hospital’s front entrance and meals will …

Three Rivers Health will be providing frozen meals and non-perishables to community members on Fridays through December. The benevolent gesture is a part of the Beacon Food Relief Collaborative. Frozen meals are offered as part of drive-thru service and available on a first-come, first-served basis between 9 and 11 a.m. Those who might benefit from the offer are asked to …

A Coldwater High School student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Officials with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said they were notified about the diagnosis, prompting a mandatory investigation. The agency confirmed with school officials that the student is receiving treatment. District and agency officials are working together to identify any possible students and staff from last school year’s second …

After working without a contract since March, nurses at Three Rivers Beacon Health have ratified a new contract. Following several weeks of negotiations and an informational picket last month, the three-year contract takes effect immediately. According to union officials, the new agreement includes raises, improvement to health insurance and a limit on nurses forced to work overtime. About 75 nurses …

Sturgis Public Schools is eliminating community access to a student-based clinic in one of its elementary schools. According to WWMT, the decision was made less than a week after the clinic opened Jan. 6 at Eastwood Elementary. Dozens of parents voiced their concerns about those up to 21 years old in the greater community being able to come inside the …

A free, online parenting resource, “Birth and Beyond,” will be available starting next month. Taught by certified childbirth educators, the class is open to all birthing partners and their partners. Areas covered include labor and delivery, postpartum planning and newborn care. Sessions will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday in February. Organizers said the classes are most appropriate …

About 200 people have been laid off at Pfizer’s facility in Portage, the company confirmed. The laid-off employees were notified last week, according to MLive. A lower demand than what the company expected for its COVID-19 products was stated as the culprit. The product Comirnaty is Pfizer’s vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people 12 years and older. Paxlovid, meanwhile, is …

Sturgis municipal officials have completed the sale of Sturgis Hospital. Completion of the transaction allowed Sturgis Hospital Inc. to finalize terms of its acquisition by Asker Corp., including a management agreement and financial support of the hospital. That agreement will be in place until the acquisition is approved by the Michigan Attorney General’s office. The agreement included a $3 million …

Pride Care Ambulance is no longer serving Cass County. Brian Queen, director of Cass County Medical Control Authority, said Pride Care has permanently discontinued emergency and non-emergency ambulance service operations. The measure went into effect last Friday morning. For now, Queen said 911 services will be covered by a group of local EMS agencies working together to avoid a disruption …