“Adequately operated and maintained decentralized systems are an option for rural areas across the country. There is rationale to move to a centralized system for sites that are typically around lakes. Typically, small sites don’t have a lot of options to expand,” he explained.

In a previous report, one of the state’s leading water experts said even a new septic system is not without problems. Unlike a sewer system, septic systems do not disinfect. Bacteria and viruses can escape into the environment.

“Anytime anybody gets sick, these organisms are going into our septic tanks. These are small enough to get through the soil in many cases, so they can reach groundwater. They could also reach surface water,” said Michigan State University microbiologist Joan Rose. 

Another problem that those who are building new homes or home additions sometimes find is that they don’t have enough land for a septic system big enough for their larger home. They have to buy land somewhere nearby and build the drain field there. That means pumping wastewater to the site. Land near lake property is expensive. 

Ladouceur works with local health departments to determine whether a septic system is causing a problem. Most of Michigan doesn’t have a “point of sale inspection” requirement. That results in a really inefficient enforcement program. 

“It’s underground infrastructure, so people do not see it, so unless there’s sewage backing up into their basement or sewage pooling in their yard, they don’t know if their septic system is failing. They might even have a septic system that’s hooked to a field tile or to a storm sewer and not even be fully aware of that,” said Molly Rippke, an aquatic biologist with EGLE. 

“We don’t have a statewide sanitary code”, she explained. “That’s something that the Legislature would have to address, so we can only do what we have the authority to do.”

Meanwhile, many lake communities are beginning to notice changes. 

“We get a lot of complaints from homeowners about what usually starts as an algae or a nuisance plant complaint because again, that’s what you can see. You can’t see the E. coli or the bacteria that are the pathogens that might cause disease,” Rippke said. 

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Starting from the upcoming fall semester, students in primary and middle schools will have at least one course every week to learn basic household skills such as cleaning and cooking, plus cutting-edge technology including 3D printing and laser cutting.

The Ministry of Education recently released a new curriculum standard for labor education in compulsory education. The standard has three types of tasks: everyday chores, including cleaning, organizing, cooking, and using and maintaining home appliances; productive labor, including agriculture, making traditional handicrafts, and experience and application of new technologies; and service, including volunteer work.

Primary school students in first and second grades need to do basic cleaning, wash vegetables and peel fruit, and learn to raise one or two kinds of plants or small animals.

Third and fourth graders should clean their classrooms, wash their underwear, socks and shoes, know how to make cold dishes and use home appliances.

Fifth and sixth graders should master the skills of cooking two or three common dishes, such as fried eggs, or scrambled eggs with tomato.

For middle school students, they are encouraged to cook three or four dishes independently, learn how to make one or two kinds of traditional handicrafts, and experience one or two types of industrial labor, new technologies, modern service or volunteer work.

The new curriculum also stipulates the establishment of labor week, which refers to extracurricular, off-campus, continuous and intensive activities that occur every school year.

It calls for the participation of families in students’ labor education. Schools should use various means to help parents realize the importance of labor education and help parents make household lists to improve students’ independence.

The curriculum has been widely discussed on social media and became the top trending topic on Sina Weibo.

Netizens welcomed the inclusion of such courses and said it is necessary to teach young students basic skills. Some have regretted not learning such skills during their school days.

Yang Jianping, mother of a first grader in Beijing, said she strongly supports teaching students such courses so they learn the necessary technical and labor skills in life.

Her son’s head teacher asks the students to clean the classrooms and use disinfecting wipes to clean the desks, chairs and classroom floors, she said.

She also asks him to help make simple dishes and has taken him to plant vegetables at his grandmother’s garden in the countryside during winter vacation, Yang said.

“He is very interested in planting vegetables and asks to video chat with his grandmother to see the plants every day,” she said.

Xiong Bingqi, director of 21st Century Education Research Institute, said more supervision and regulation are needed to ensure local governments and schools allocate enough resources and teachers for labor education and open enough courses.

He said labor education needs family participation, yet many parents only value academic education and overlook other forms of education, he said.

Such forms of family education harm the development of children by taking away opportunities to experience life, develop necessary skills and become independent people, he added.

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“The most recent projections from UT Southwestern show that we will likely see an increase in cases, but that hospitalizations should remain low for the next several weeks. How many new cases we see will be determined in part by the precautions we take. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings. To further reduce risk, it is always okay to mask in indoor or other settings, around high risk individuals, or whenever you’d feel more comfortable wearing a mask based on your personal risk. It is also very important that we are all up-to-date with our COVID-19 vaccines, which includes a booster for most of us and a second booster for people 50+ or those who are immunocompromised. To find a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster near you, visit Vaccines.gov,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

All Dallas County COVID-19 Updates and Information can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/ and all guidance documents can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/guidance-health.php
Specific Guidance for the Public:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others and continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care
• Wash your hands often and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands. Immediately wash your hands.
• Monitor your health daily. Be alert for symptoms. Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Additional information is available at the following websites:

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click to enlarge

A federal appeals court Thursday rejected arguments by Florida restaurants and a furniture retailer that insurance policies should have covered losses stemming from shutdowns early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 34-page decision in four consolidated cases came after a flood of claims and litigation across the country from businesses that had to temporarily close their doors or scale back operations in 2020 because of government orders.

A three-judge panel of the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that, under Florida law, “there is no coverage because COVID-19 did not cause a tangible alteration of the insured properties.”

The ruling came in cases filed against various insurers by SA Palm Beach, LLC, a restaurant operator in Palm Beach; Emerald Coast Restaurants, Inc., a restaurant and sports-bar operator in Destin; Rococo Steak, LLC, a restaurant operator in St. Petersburg; and R.T.G. Furniture Corp., a Seffner-based operator of the Rooms To Go furniture chain.

Arguments involved whether all-risk commercial insurance policies should cover losses and expenses related to the pandemic. The appeals court focused heavily on parts of the policies that required coverage for “direct physical loss” or damage to properties.

The panel said the businesses alleged, in part, that COVID-19 closure orders prohibited access to their properties, causing stores to lose “use and normal function.” The court cited other cases from across the country in rejecting the businesses’ arguments.

“As far as we can tell, every federal and state appellate court that has decided the meaning of ‘physical loss of or damage to’ property (or similar language) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has come to the same conclusion and held that some tangible alteration of the property is required,” said the ruling, written by Judge Adalberto Jordan and joined by Chief Judge William Pryor and Judge R. Lanier Anderson. “There is therefore no coverage for loss of use based on intangible and incorporeal harm to the property due to COVID-19 and the closure orders that were issued by state and local authorities even though the property was rendered temporarily unsuitable for its intended use.”

The ruling also rejected arguments by Rococo Steakhouse and the Rooms To Go chain that they sustained damage because of COVID-19 being in the buildings. The court said, for example, that the furniture retailer’s “need to clean or disinfect stores to get rid of COVID-19 does not constitute direct physical loss or damage under Florida law.”

The panel, however, sent one issue back to a lower court for further consideration in the Emerald Coast Restaurants case. That issue involved coverage for “spoilage” of food.

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The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Unit declared an outbreak on Wednesday, April 27, at the Gardens of Haliburton. There are six residents and two staff, who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms after testing positive with COVID-19. /FILE DARREN LUM Staff

Support welcomed with outbreak at Gardens of Haliburton

Six residents and two staff test positive, but experience mild symptoms, or none

By Darren Lum
The Gardens of Haliburton is operating with outbreak protocols outlined by the ministry of health since April 27 since eight people tested positive for COVID-19.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Unit (HKPRDU) declared the outbreak, which includes six residents and two staff, who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.
Gardens of Haliburton, general manager Selena Lynne Eastman said Gardens’ protocol is that any residents who test positive are isolated immediately with the onset of symptoms or when testing positive following the most up to date direction set out by the ministry of health.
“The Gardens was already maintaining important IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) measures but continues to heighten our already rigorous precautions through conducting daily risk assessments and audits. Enhanced disinfecting is well underway and will continue through the course of the pandemic,” she wrote in an email.

The residence has now suspended all group activities, communal dining, and the general public is not permitted access.
She added that all of the residents have been offered a fourth dose booster in collaboration with Haliburton Highlands Health Services’ IPAC team in late-March.
There are 96 per cent of the residence’s population who have received their fourth vaccination dose and 100 per cent for third dose recipients.

HKPR’s communication officer, Bill Eekhof said the health unit is working closely with the Gardens of Haliburton since the outbreak was declared.
“While each outbreak is unique, the overriding goal is to help control and reduce the spread of the virus in the facility. Outbreak response measures typically include: regular testing of staff and residents, isolating/cohorting of residents, active screening for COVID-19 symptoms, limiting or restricting communal activities, putting in place visitor restrictions, limiting/restricting new admissions and limiting/restricting client absences. These are in addition to routine COVID-19 prevention measures such as mask use, physical distancing, vaccination, PPE use and regular cleaning/disinfecting,” he wrote in an email. “Testing recommendations can vary during an outbreak by facility, and are based on such factors as symptoms, contact tracing results and evidence of ongoing transmission. Isolation of residents is based on numerous factors including: symptoms, exposure risk level, vaccine status and a recent history of COVID infection in the past 90 days.”

Eekhof said current provincial guidelines for declaring a COVID-19 outbreak at long-term care homes and retirement homes is made when there are “two or more residents and/or staff/other visitors in a home that test positive for the virus through a PCR test, positive molecular test or rapid antigen test and there is an epidemiological link within a 10-day period. This means there is reasonable evidence of transmission between the affected individuals and a risk of COVID-19 being spread to residents in the home.”
Outbreaks can also be made after a health unit investigation, Eekhof added.
Eastman said the support from the community has been welcomed during this outbreak.
“Our Gardens Team is phenomenal and have been working very hard to navigate the outbreak and stop the spread of the virus. The unwavering guidance and support we have received from HKPR and our local HHHS IPAC team has been astounding through this whole pandemic since we opened last May and continues through this time of need.”

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Shared bikes Photo:VCG

On the first working day after the May Day holidays, demand for shared bikes skyrocketed in some core business areas of Beijing, as the capital tightened anti-virus measures and closed some of the city’s subway stations and bus stops to cut the spread of the virus. 

Shared bike operator Hellobike told the Global Times on Thursday that in Chaoyang district, the rate for shared bike usage during the Thursday rush hour rocketed 69.2 percent from the previous day due to the city’s latest anti-virus measures.

Meituan Bike, the shared bike arm of food delivery platform Meituan, put more bikes on the streets within a range of 5 kilometers from the temporarily closed subway stations. Staffers who handle operations had to arrive for work one hour earlier than usual, said the company in a statement sent to the Global Times.

Meituan Bike also increased the number of bicycles available at rush hour.

With the surge in bike use, many piled up outside some subway stations, jamming the roads. In response, Hellobike deployed 60 more workers and 30 transport vans to the subway stations in Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD).

“I was planning to rent a shared bike at the station near my home to go to work in the morning, but there were few left and many were broken,” a white-collar worker surnamed Shen in Chaoyang district who works in the CBD told the Global Times on Thursday.

“I didn’t expect the situation, since normally there should have been plenty of shared bikes,” Shen said, adding that she had to walk for hundreds of meters to find one.

The Beijing municipal government announced on Wednesday that residents in some key areas of Beijing’s most populous Chaoyang district would have to start working at home from Thursday, and those who must work in their offices should avoid public transport and reduce gatherings at companies.

However, despite the surging demand, data from Hellobike showed that the overall usage rate in Chaoyang district on Thursday morning was 27.9 percent, nearly 10 points less than before the May Day holidays when it was 37.5 percent, showing that the anti-virus measures did reduce the flow of people.

In keeping with local anti-epidemic efforts, operators of shared bikes also deployed workers to disinfect the bikes and parking spaces. 

On Thursday, Beijing reported a total of 39 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and designated four areas in the city as high-risk areas. 

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COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise in Tioga County, according to the Tioga County Public Health Department. Over the past two weeks, Tioga County has been averaging 24 new cases of COVID-19 each day, according to a press release issued by the health department April 26. As of April 26, Tioga County had 105 confirmed active cases of COVID-19. 

These numbers do not include those who have tested positive with an at-home test, leaving us uncertain about how many active cases are truly circulating around our community. Although cases may seem high, of more importance, COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low during this time, as do the number of severe cases. 

Tioga County Public Health continues to monitor hospitalizations and severe infections from COVID-19, which gives us a better indication of how COVID-19 is affecting the local community. According to the health department, making sure you and your family are up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccination can help protect you against severe illness and hospitalization. Here are the current recommendations:  

•COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series: May be given to all individuals ages 5 and up. 

•First Booster Shot: May be given to those 12 years and older who completed their COVID-19 vaccine 

primary series at least three months ago.

•Second booster shot is recommended for adults over the age of 50, people ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, and people who received two doses (one primary and one booster dose) of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine. 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned ways to mitigate the spread of the virus and individuals are personally responsible for the actions they take to protect themselves against COVID-19,” the press release states. 

Those with underlying health conditions and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness should take extra precautions during this time like wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places where it is more difficult to socially distance from others. Additional prevention measures include washing your hands often, disinfecting frequently touched objects, and focusing on other important health factors like getting plenty of sleep, making healthy food choices, and staying physically active. 

If you are not feeling well and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the health department is asking that you please get tested for COVID-19 through your primary care provider or use an at-home test kit. Contact your primary care provider within the first few days of developing symptoms or testing positive for the virus to discuss whether treatment options are right for you. 

New Guidance on Testing Positive

Two days after announcing the rise in cases, the health department issued another press release stating that after April 28 anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will no longer be receiving a phone call or text message from a case investigator. Instead, positive cases should follow New York State’s current isolation and quarantine guidelines: 

•Isolate at home for five days from your test date or from the day you develop symptoms, with Day Zero being the day of symptom onset or your test date. Wear a well-fitting mask when leaving your home during days six to 10. 

•If symptoms are not improving after five days or if you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, please continue to isolate for an additional five days, or until symptoms improve. 

•Notify those you were in close contact with during the 48 hours prior to testing positive or becoming symptomatic. Close contacts should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they become symptomatic. 

•If you are concerned about your symptoms, please contact your primary care provider to discuss treatment options that may be available to you.

Additional information on New York State’s Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines may be found at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/isolation-quarantine. 

If you test positive for COVID-19 and need documentation for your employer or school, an Affirmation of Isolation is now being used in place of an Isolation Order for anyone who tests positive, regardless if it is a PCR Test or an At-Home COVID-19 Test. This is a fillable form and can be downloaded at tiogacountyny.gov/departments/public-health. 

Staff at Tioga County Public Health will continue to monitor for new clusters forming in the community and for other concerning trends. We will still have members of our team to assist with answering questions and monitoring the current status of cases in Tioga County. 

Please call the health department office at (607) 687-8600 (option one) to reach a member of the COVID-19 team. Additional COVID-19 information including Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines, COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit Pick-Up Locations, and more are available on the Tioga County Public Health website.

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Before getting into the nitty-gritty, let me explain the scientific difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes things — dirt, crumbs, germs, dog hair — from surfaces. Disinfecting, on the other hand, kills things — typically viruses and bacteria. Cleaning is something we may want to do regularly, Dr. Hartmann said, but we need to worry about killing (disinfecting) only dangerous, disease-causing germs. And we can often predict where they’ll be.

For instance, you probably don’t need to disinfect your kitchen counters every day, unless you’ve handled raw meat. You also don’t need to obsessively disinfect your bathroom unless someone in your home has an infection that spreads through stools, like salmonella or norovirus.

For standard messes — like when my 11-year-old drips maple syrup all over the kitchen table at breakfast — you don’t need to reach for a disinfectant wipe when soap and water will remove the sticky residue just fine. (Soap is also great for removing germs from your hands, but you need to build a good lather and wash for 20 seconds.)

Why not disinfect everything anyway, you ask? There are long-term risks associated with the overuse of certain disinfectants, such as quaternary ammonium compounds. These “quats,” as they’re called, are found in many popular household cleaning products, including sprays and wipes made by Lysol and Clorox. These cleaners may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, Dr. Hartmann said. Plus — although experts I spoke to disagreed on just how much to worry about this — disinfectants like bleach, ammonia and quats release fumes that can be harmful, said Pawel Misztal, a chemist who studies disinfectants at the University of Texas at Austin. So use disinfectants when you need to disinfect, but not when you want to just clean.

Choose and use disinfectants wisely.

When you do have reason to worry about bad germs, heck yes, kill them all with a disinfectant, but keep in mind that some chemicals will work better than others. Plain soap and water can kill germs when lathered, but it’s not going to be as foolproof as other, stronger options if you’re trying to eliminate microbes on surfaces, said Bill Wuest, a chemist at Emory University. Far more effective are disinfectants like bleach, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and quat-based cleaners.

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As cases of the Powassan virus begin being reported in the U.S., including even one death this spring, many are wondering what the virus is and how can they prevent it?

Humans become infected with Powassan through the bite of an infected deer or woodchuck tick.

Cases of the virus are rare in the United States, with about 25 cases reported each year since 2015.

So far this year, one death has already been reported.

In April, person in eastern Maine died from the rare virus, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. The person from Waldo County contracted Powassan virus, developed neurologic symptoms and died while in the hospital, the center said in a news release. The person likely became infected in Maine, it said.

This week, a Connecticut man tested positive for the virus, marking the first case in the state this year, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, sparking an alert from health officials urging residents to take action to prevent tick bites.

According to the CDC, no cases have been reported in Illinois between the years of 2011 and 2020, but several have been reported in surrounding Midwest states.

In Wisconsin, 30 cases were reported in that same time frame. Another 35 were reported in Minnesota and just one in Indiana.

Still, deer tick can be found in Illinois as the Great Lakes Region is one of the most common locations for the species.

Symptoms of Powassan virus infection usually start one week to one month after the tick bite. People who get sick may have fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or memory loss, the center said.

Some people may experience serious neurologic problems, such as brain or spinal cord inflammation. Severe infection may result in death. Many people infected with Powassan virus do not get sick.

Illinois officials issued a reminder Thursday, noting that May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center urged residents to take precautions against ticks.

“Although we are exposed to ticks year-round, they are most active during warmer months,” Alana Bartolai, ecological services program coordinator for the health department, said in a statement. “Ticks may be small in size, but we still need to protect ourselves, our families, and pets against the diseases they can carry, especially Lyme disease.”

Ticks live in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush, experts say, and they can carry Lyme and other debilitating and sometimes fatal illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis.

“If you experience fever, headache, fatigue, or a rash after a tick bite, please consult your healthcare provider for possible testing and treatment,” Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department, said in a statement. “If left untreated, some tick-borne diseases can cause serious illnesses and may be fatal.”

Here are some precautions officials advise to prevent tick bites:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails so plants do not brush against you.
• Wear light-colored protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, closed-toe boots or shoes, and a head covering or hat. Tuck long pants into your socks and tuck in your shirt.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin (except the face). Use products that contain permethrin on clothing. Always follow product instructions carefully.
• Check yourself, your children and pets, and outdoor gear often for ticks.
• Reduce tick habitats around your home by clearing leaf litter, mowing grass, cutting back weeds, and keeping the ground clean under bird feeders.

If you are bitten by a tick, promptly and properly remove it:

• Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the skin and pull upward with slow, even pressure. Do NOT twist or jerk.
• Do NOT burn the tick or smother it with oils or petroleum jelly, as this may cause the tick to spit up infected saliva into your skin.
• Once the tick is removed, disinfect the bite area and wash hands with soap and water.
• Make a note of the date you were bitten in case you need medical care later.

Removing ticks with 24 hours reduces the risk of disease. Instructions for tick removal and awareness of symptoms are available on the IDPH website.

Tick populations in your area can be monitored on the IDPH Tick Surveillance Mapping App.

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2022 awards recognize the best hotels across company’s global portfolio

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, announced its Premier and Best of Choice award winners at the company’s 66th annual convention in Las Vegas. The awards – the company’s most coveted accolades – recognize the top hotels in Choice’s global portfolio of more than 7,000 franchised properties for their superior performance and outstanding guest ratings.

“As we navigate through unprecedented times in society and our industry, it has been our guiding mission to be there every step of the way with our franchisees because they are at the heart of everything we do — just as guests are at the center of everything they do,” said David Pepper, chief development officer, Choice Hotels. “This year’s Premier and Best of Choice award winners represent the top of the Choice Hotels brand, and their demonstrated ability to go above and beyond to deliver best-in-class hospitality, especially amid difficult circumstances, is truly commendable. We could not be prouder to have them as part of the Choice family.”

The elite Premier award designations – Premier Legacy, Premier Developer, and Premier Hotelier – honored three of the company’s top franchisees from 2022 for providing exceptional guest experiences, a commitment to development, and the embodiment of the Choice Hotels brand promise:

–  Nayan Patel (Premier Legacy Winner) – Since opening the doors to his first Econo Lodge hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts nearly 35 years ago, Patel has owned more than 50 Choice properties and is a steadfast advocate of the Choice brands within the development community. Today, Patel is CEO of Jiten Hotel Management, a full-service hospitality management firm, and currently owns and operates nine hotels across the country under the Comfort, Quality and Econo Lodge flags.

–  Christopher Kouza and Joseph Caradonna (Premier Developer Winner) – Founders of Koucar Management, both Kouza and Caradonna have been longtime supporters of Cambria Hotels and instrumental in expanding the brand’s footprint to new markets through multi-unit development. In addition to the Cambria Hotel D.C. Riverfront and Cambria Hotel Detroit-Shelby Township, the Koucar team owns the Cambria Downtown Detroit and Cambria Downtown Portland Maine, both of which are slated to open later this year.

–  Darren Nardozzi (Premier Hotelier Winner) – Owner of the Sleep Inn Wesley Chapel – Tampa North, Nardozzi is an experienced hotel owner and passionate leader. In addition to going above and beyond to deliver outstanding, personalized service to guests, he is known within the community for cultivating high-performing teams and opportunities for his associates.

Like the Premier winners, the Best of Choice award recipients were selected for their demonstrated commitment to superior guest service and operational excellence. One hotel was selected from each Choice brand segment in the company’s domestic and international portfolio. Below is the full list of 2022 award winners:

–  Kress Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (De Pere, Wisconsin) – Located along the edge of the scenic Fox River, this boutique hotel positions De Pere visitors minutes from the St. Norbert College campus, nearby pubs and eateries, as well as the renowned Lambeau Field and downtown Green Bay. In addition to complimentary breakfast, as well as a manager’s reception each evening, guests can catch up with friends and family around the hotel’s cozy fireplace, stroll along the property’s manicured grounds, or unwind in each guestroom’s in-room whirlpool. 

–  Ingot Hotel Perth, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (Belmont, Western Australia, Australia) – Ideally situated along the Swan River just minutes from downtown Perth and Western Australia’s sought-after beaches, the Ingot Hotel provides visitors with contemporary accommodations and outstanding service. Amenities include onsite dining at the Eyre Restaurant, a heated outdoor pool and spa, and a fully equipped fitness center.

–  Cambria Hotel Traverse City (Traverse City, Michigan) – As a nine-time Best of Choice winner, the upscale Traverse City hotel continues to deliver on the Cambria brand promise to surprise and delight guests with exceptional service and little luxuries. Located in the heart of the Cherry Capital of the World, the hotel offers guests convenient access to top Northern Michigan attractions, including Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan Beach, nearby wineries, and award-winning golf courses. At the hotel, business and leisure travelers alike may enjoy the property’s state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor heated pool, as well as onsite dining and local craft brews at the hotel’s restaurant and bar.

–  Comfort Inn Blackshear – Highway 84 (Blackshear, Georgia) – Located off U.S. Highway 15, the hotel positions adventure-seeking guests near an array of popular hunting and fishing sites, as well as the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Laura S. Walker State Park. After a day of exploring, guests can lounge beside the hotel’s pool or unwind in spacious guestrooms, each equipped with premium bedding and plush pillows.

–  Comfort Inn & Suites Avera Southwest (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) – Ideally located off Interstate 29 and Interstate 229, the hotel positions guests just minutes from downtown Sioux Falls and Augustana University and features the amenities guests need for a successful business or leisure getaway. In addition to spacious guestrooms and premium bedding, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s indoor pool and hot tub, well-equipped fitness center and complimentary hearty and healthy breakfast options.

–  Comfort Suites Near Penn State (State College, Pennsylvania) – Whether they are traveling for business or leisure, guests will appreciate the hotel’s inviting staff, modern amenities and ideal location – situated within walking distance to the Pennsylvania State University campus and nearby restaurants, and near several major businesses including Raytheon and Mount Nittany Health. Along with spacious guest suites, the hotel offers pet-friendly accommodations, a full complimentary breakfast each morning, and a business center.

–  Comfort Inn Monterrey Valle (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) – Conveniently located in the heart of the San Pedro Garza Garcia business district, the hotel provides visitors with easy access to the area’s most prominent business headquarters, as well as the friendly service and amenities they need for a successful stay. In addition to complimentary breakfast and onsite dining at the hotel’s restaurant, the Monterrey Comfort Inn features a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center and sun deck.

–  Sleep Inn & Suites Cross Lanes – South Charleston (Cross Lanes, West Virginia) – Guests can expect stylish accommodations, friendly service and easy access to abundant entertainment in West Virginia’s capital city when they stay at South Charleston’s Sleep Inn & Suites. In addition to modern, spacious guestrooms, visitors can take advantage of the hotel’s proximity to the West Virginia State University’s campus and nearby restaurants,and enjoy freshly baked cookies in the lobby each evening.

–  Clarion Inn Conference Center (Gonzales, Louisiana) – Located equidistance between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the full-service, 164-room hotel provides guests with easy access to top area attractions, as well as nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it the ideal location for reunions and other special events. The hotel – a Best of Choice winner for the fourth time in five years since its inception nearly 10 years ago – also features lush on-site gardens, a seasonal outdoor pool, and an award-winning restaurant, Mike Anderson’s Seafood, where guests can enjoy a locally-inspired meal or craft cocktail.

–  Clarion Pointe Rock Hill – Near Training Camp (Rock Hill, South Carolina) – Conveniently located just 30 minutes from uptown Charlotte, North Carolina – known for its abundant restaurants and thriving arts and culture scene – the hotel offers business and leisure travelers convenient access to nearby Cherry Park, Carowinds Theme Park, Rock Hill Galleria and Winthrop University. Guests can also spacious guestrooms and modern amenities, including a business center and onsite marketplace with curated food and beverage options.

–  Clarion Congress Hotel Olomouc (Olomouc, Czech Republic) – Located on the banks of the Morava River, 125-room Clarion positions guests at the heart of Olomouc’s rich academic history and artistic tradition. After a day of touring nearby cultural sites, including the Holy Trinity Column and the Moravian Theatre Olomouc, guests can relax in the hotel’s full-service spa or catch up with friends at the onsite bar and restaurant. 

–  MainStay Suites Winfield-Teays Valley (Hurricane, West Virginia) – In addition to clean, apartment-style suites – each equipped with fully-stocked kitchens and separate living and working areas – the hotel goes above and beyond to make extended stay guests feel at home, with friendly staff and “extras” like afternoon tea, in-lobby computers and complimentary breakfast. The hotel is ideally situated 15 minutes from West Virginia State University and near several leisure attractions, including the Putnam County Fairgrounds and the Sleepy Hallow Golf & Country Club.  

–  Quality Inn & Suites (Big Stone Gap, Virginia) – Located in the heart of Appalachia off the Orby Cantrell Highway, the hotel is closely located to popular leisure and business attractions, including the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Natural Tunnel State Park and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. In addition to clean, comfortable guestrooms, travelers can enjoy the hotel’s fitness center, indoor saltwater pool and onsite restaurant.

–  Quality Hotel Lippstadt (Lippstadt, Germany) – Nestled on the banks of the River Lippe and just a two-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of the historic downtown district, the 80-room upscale hotel provides visitors with stylish accommodations and a one-of-a-kind taste of Lippstadt – nicknamed the “Venice of Westphalia.” Notable amenities include a full breakfast buffet, as well as dinner options at the hotel’s restaurant, an onsite lounge and bar, banquet rooms and a business center.

–  Econo Lodge (Russellville, Kentucky) – Located off Highway 63 near Russellville’s historic downtown district, the hotel provides vacationing families and business travelers alike with exceptional service and affordable, reliable accommodations including free coffee and breakfast as well as an onsite business center.

–  Rodeway Inn (Ainsworth, Nebraska) – Named Best of Choice for the third year in a row, the Ainsworth Rodeway Inn continues to exceed guests’ expectations in terms of amenities, cleanliness and staff friendliness. Conveniently located off U.S. Highway 20 in the Nebraska Sandhills, the hotel serves as travelers’ ideal home-base for outdoor adventures, including nearby hunting, fishing, golfing and boating. At the hotel, guests may also take advantage of the property’s complimentary breakfast, indoor heated pool, and meeting facilities.

–  Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Midland I-20 (Midland, Texas) – True to the Suburban name, the award-winning hotel – conveniently located off Highway 70 halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso – features affordable accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and welcoming staff to suit the unique needs of extended stay guests. Each of the hotel’s apartment-style guestrooms include a fully stocked kitchenette, flatscreen TV and flexible workspaces.

–  WoodSpring Suites Hobbs (Hobbs, New Mexico) – Located less than 15 minutes from the Lea County Regional Airport and just miles from New Mexico Junio College, the University of Southwest, and Hobbs Army Airfield, as well as several regional medical facilities, the hotel is known for providing modern, apartment-style accommodations and friendly service for extended-stay guests. The hotel’s amenities include full in-room kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and guest laundry facilities.

All award-winning hotels participate in Commitment to Clean, an initiative that builds upon the strong foundation of Choice franchisees’ long-standing dedication to cleanliness with enhanced training and best practices for deep cleaning, disinfecting and social distancing.

For more information, or to make your reservation at any of these award-winning hotels, visit www.choicehotels.com.

About Choice Hotels®

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 600,000 rooms, in 35 countries and territories as of December 31, 2021, the Choice® family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. 

Forward-Looking Statement

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” about future events, including future growth and success. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes to general domestic and foreign economic conditions and the other “Risk Factors” described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.

© 2022 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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