The Board of County Commissioners renewed and extended the Local State of Emergency through April 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Berrien County has 52 cases of COVID-19 and one person has died.

“The action allows the Berrien County Emergency Operation Center to continue to operate and support the efforts of the Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland and to continue to provide vital resources already in place to deal with this pandemic,” said Mac Elliott, chairman.

A state of emergency enables the county to provide funding and resources to respond to the pandemic.

Berrien County officials want to remind residents they need to heed the governor's executive order that says all residents should stay home and stay safe to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Residents who have questions or concerns regarding the Executive Orders are encouraged to call the Berrien County COVID-19 Response Hotline at 1-800-815-5485.