LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Kevin Daley on Saturday shared information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding additional cases of coronavirus being announced — including one in Bay County.
“An adult male from Bay County with history of domestic travel and who is a physician at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw was included in the most recent update from state and local health officials,” said Daley, R-Lum. “I’d like to encourage everyone to stay calm, look for factual information, and continue to follow suggested protocols.”
MDHHS and health departments in Bay, Charlevoix, Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties confirmed nine additional adults tested presumptive positive for COVID-19, bringing the state’s total number of positive cases to 25.
Covenant officials confirmed once the individual in Bay County became aware that he was exposed to someone with the virus while out of state, he stopped working immediately, underwent testing and went home to self-quarantine awaiting results.
It is recommended that residents avoid large crowds when possible, and especially avoid people who are sick. People should wash their hands regularly using warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds and do their best to avoid touching their face.
Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Patients with confirmed coronavirus infection have respiratory issues and symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Residents who are experiencing any of these symptoms, or are not feeling well, should stay home and consult their doctor.
MDHHS has launched a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about COVID-19 and to direct residents, providers and more to the right resources in their local communities and other state government departments.
Beginning Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m., the hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continuously updating its website as new information becomes available and state and local health officials are working to keep residents informed and up to date.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also announced the state is ordering the closure of all K-12 school buildings, public, private, and boarding, to students starting Monday, March 16 until at least Sunday, April 5.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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