First positive coronavirus case confirmed in Midland County Health department: No employer, facility involved

A COVID-19 testing tent is set up outside of the Emergency Department at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland Friday, March 13, 2020. "These measures have been put in place to help distance those with a concern about COVID-19 exposure from the rest of our patient population and our staff, health care providers and volunteers," said Lydia Watson, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, MidMichigan Health. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less A COVID-19 testing tent is set up outside of the Emergency Department at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland Friday, March 13, 2020. "These measures have been put in place to help distance those with a concern ... more Photo: (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) Buy photo Photo: (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close First positive coronavirus case confirmed in Midland County 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Laboratory testing has identified Midland County’s first positive case for coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Midland County individual is an adult woman with a history of international travel, according to a news release issued by Jenifier Boyer, Emergency management coordinator, Midland County Office of Emergency Management.

Fred Yanoski, Midland County Public Health director/health officer, said Thursday morning that no employer or facilities are involved.

The affected woman has been in isolation in her home. The Midland County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is working closely with the individual to identify and contact others who may have been potentially exposed.

"She became symptomatic, was responsible, stayed home and called her health care provider, who determined she needed testing," Yanoski said. "She got tested, she was responsible and stayed home, and has done so since."

Yanoski said if there was ever an implication of a facility or employer, the health department would include that in information released to the public.

This news shouldn't change what Midland County residents are already doing, Yanoski said, stressing the importance of social distancing, washing hands and limiting public contact. He also added that people should not panic.

The health department is treating this investigation like it does any communicable disease case, Yanoski said.

The woman has been interviewed by telephone and has provided contacts for anyone who potentially may have been exposed. Those people already have been reached by phone, are quarantined at home, and will be contacted daily — as will the woman — by the health department for 14 days to check their health.

"The responsible actions by this individual and how she handled the situation really reduced the contacts we had to make," Yanoski said. "(Her responsible actions were) a tremendous asset to our investigation."

Yanoski said these situations bring about a lot of rumors and people shouldn't wonder if they might have been potentially affected in this case or any future cases.

"If they were identified as a contact, we will get ahold of them," he said.

Also see: MidMichigan Health outlines coronavirus protocols

COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath and may appear between two and 14 days after exposure.

Midland County Department of Public Health continues to encourage residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Continue to practice social distancing as recommended by federal, state and local officials

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces

• Stay home when you are sick

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation. It is important that we continue as a community to implement the recommended mitigation and prevention strategies to help slow the spread of this disease,” Yanoski said.

What should you do?

If you have symptoms or have concerns about the coronavirus, call your primary health care provider. If you do not have a primary doctor, call the MidMichigan Health COVID-19 hotline at 800-445-7356 or 989-794-7600; one of the urgent care centers; or one of the emergency departments.

Providers will first perform initial testing to rule out other common respiratory illnesses, like the flu, which are a more likely cause of the symptoms.

"By calling ahead, this allows for appropriate precautions to take place to limit exposure to others," Sherry Anderson, MidMichigan Health regulatory compliance manager, said in a previous story. "The provider will then evaluate the individual and, based on their signs/symptoms and risk factors, will decide if the patient should be tested."

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A previous version of this story referenced a report from the the state about a case in Isabella County. The state later corrected its report, removing the Isabella County case.