Muskegon County confirms first coronavirus case
The first case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Muskegon County, health officials announced today.
The case is an adult female who was tested on March 20; the case was confirmed positive on Sunday, March 22, according to Muskegon County’s public health department. The testing was done through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Public health officials said in a press release they are working on contacting people who have been in close contact with the individual, and those contacts will be “assessed for symptoms, instructed to self-quarantine and monitored appropriately.”
“We’ve been anticipating and expecting the confirmation of COVID-19 in our community,” Muskegon County Health Officer Kathy Moore said in a press statement. “To slow the potential spread it’s critical for the public to comply with public health orders and practice common sense precautions.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a three-week shelter-in-place executive order Monday morning, which directs all Michigan businesses and other venues to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are “not necessary to sustain or protect life.” The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, such as going to the hospital or grocery store.
“The uncertainty of the situation brings a great deal of anxiety to everyone,” Muskegon County Administrator Mark Eisenbarth said in a press release announcing Muskegon’s COVID-19 case. “We need your help in following the executive orders of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in an effort to protect all the citizens of Muskegon County.”
There are currently 45 pending COVID-19 tests from Muskegon, according to county health officials. The Michigan Department of Health and Human services has confirmed there are 1,035 coronavirus cases in the state.
For updates from local health officials, visit muskegonhealth.net. Information can also be found at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.