Lansing, Mich. (WLNS) — There are now 1,791 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state of Michigan with 24 confirmed deaths, according to government data.

The most confirmed cases have been reported in the city of Detroit, where there are 563 cases and eight confirmed deaths. Combined into Wayne County, the county in total has 873 total cases, accounting for 48 percent of Michigan’s total confirmed cases.

The county with the second most cases is Oakland County, where 428 cases have been reported. Oakland County is followed by Macomb (225) and Washtenaw (50).

The first COVID-19 case was confirmed Tuesday March 10 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Within 14 days, case numbers have grown to 1,791.

In a White House coronavirus task force briefing Saturday March 21, health officials said they expect the number of U.S. cases to grow as testing becomes more available.

However, not everyone in the state is getting tested, which could account for discrepancies in reported health state data.

6 News reporter Araceli Crescensio spoke with Ingham County Health Department officer Linda Vail, who said that test results take up to one week to be confirmed, which causes a delay in the current numbers.

Coronavirus FAQ:

What are the coronavirus symptoms?

Fever, cough and shortness of breath.

If you develop emergency warning signs such as:

persistent pain or pressure in the chest

new confusion or inability to arouse

bluish lips or face

difficulty breathing contact your medical care provider immediately.

How does coronavirus spread?

The virus is thought to spread person-to-person between people who are within 6 feet of one another

Spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes

What should I do to protect myself?

Clean or wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds

If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol

Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth and unwashed hands

Avoid close contact (social distancing)

How long does coronavirus live on surfaces?

Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may live for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials, according to the CDC

How should I clean and disinfect my home?

Routinely clean tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets and sinks with EPA-registered disinfectants

How should I clean if I live with someone who is self-quarantining/is ill?

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)

In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person. As much as possible, an ill person should stay in a specific room and away from other people in their home, following home care guidance. The caregiver can provide personal cleaning supplies for an ill person’s room and bathroom, unless the room is occupied by child or another person for whom such supplies would not be appropriate. These supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants (examples at this linkpdf iconexternal icon).

(e.g., soiled items and surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person.

What should I do if I think I am sick?

Stay home – people who have mild symptoms of COVID-19 are able to recover at home, according to the CDC. Do not leave.

See your doctor — call before you get medical care.

Stay away from others – you should limit yourself to one room and avoid others in your home. If you can, use a separate bathroom.

Limit contact with pets and animals — Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more information is known.



UPDATE: (2:19 p.m. March 17)

In Michigan, there are currently 65 cases of coronavirus in the state, according to government data.

The positive cases confirmed on March 15 include:

The cases include:

Washtenaw County, three adult males, all with a history of international travel.

Detroit, adult female with unknown travel history.

Oakland County, adult female with contact with a person with COVID-19.

Detroit, adult female with contact with a person with COVID-19.

Macomb County, adult female with unknown travel history.

Oakland County, male child with contact with a person with COVID-19

Kent County, adult male with unknown travel history and unknown contact history.

Oakland County, adult male with unknown travel and contact history.

Wayne County, adult male with unknown travel and contact history.

Ottawa County, adult female with unknown travel and contact history.

St. Clair County, adult female with contact with a person with COVID-19.

Macomb County, two adult males with no travel or contact reported.

Wayne County, adult male with no travel or contact reported.

Oakland County, adult male with international travel history.

Oakland County, adult male with no history of travel or contacts.

Detroit, adult female with no history of travel or contacts.

Kent County, adult male with history of domestic travel.



The positive cases from March 13 include:

An adult male from Bay County with history domestic travel.

An adult female from Charlevoix County with a history of international travel.

An adult female from Detroit with a history of international travel.

An adult male from Macomb County with a history of international travel.

Two adult females and an adult male from Oakland County, one with a history of international travel two with unknown travel history.

Two adult females from Wayne County, one with a history of domestic and the other with no history of travel.

COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

Avoid contact with people who are sick.

If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.

Replace handshakes with elbow bumps.

Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

PREVIOUS STORY:

Lansing, Mich. (WLNS) — According to Michigan government data, 809 people in the state have been actively monitored or referred for assessment for COVID-19 as of March 16.

This group of people includes those who were referred from CDC airport quarantine stations, self-referrals, close contacts of pending persons under investigation and healthcare provider referrals entered by local health departments.

Another 30 people have test results pending for COVID-19 and 389 people meet the criteria to have testing conducted as of March 13, according to Michigan health data.

On Wednesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the state’s first two cases of coronavirus. One case is in Oakland County and the other is in Wayne County.

On Wednesday, the Ingham County Health Department announced it was investigating three people for COVID-19.

“So currently there are no cases [in Ingham County] but right now we are monitoring three individuals and waiting for test results back from them,” said Joel D. Murr, deputy health officer of the Ingham County Health Department.

That same day, Michigan public universities: Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan Wayne State University and Western Michigan University announced they would be transitioning to online classes either that day or following their spring breaks to prevent the spread of the virus.

Here in East Lansing, MSU students were told classes would be held online until the end of the semester, which is April 20.

Health officials said they do expect there to be more cases in Michigan.

“While most individuals who get this disease will have mild symptoms, this pandemic is serious, and we all have to do our part to prevent and slow spread as much as possible,” said Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.