HOLLAND — Holland Hospital has reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 Sunday, March 15.

In a press conference Sunday evening, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said 12 new cases were discovered in the state, bringing the Michigan total to 45. Whitmer did not, however, immediately give the locations of those 12 new cases.

Holland Hospital's public relations coordinator Jennifer Schmitt confirmed with The Sentinel that one of those cases is a patient at Holland Hospital.

Schmitt said the relevant patients and physicians have been notified of the positive test result.

"We were prepared, we knew what to do," Schmitt said. "We've been restricting visitors since yesterday, per Gov. Whitmer's more in-depth restrictions. Beginning tomorrow, we'll begin screening anyone coming in for symptoms."

The case in Holland is the first known coronavirus patient in Ottawa County. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health identified the patient as "an adult female with no known travel." The patient is in isolation.

"We are working to identify individuals who may have come into close contact with the patient so we can take appropriate steps and monitor them closely,” said Dr. Paul Heidel, OCDPH medical director. “We are continuing to collaborate with the state health department and recommend residents continue to practice prevention measures to slow the spread of COVID-19."

Because the Holland Hospital patient does not have a known travel history to COVID-19 hotspots, it is likely more people in the Holland community already have COVID-19.

"That would indicate that there is community-wide spread," said Kristina Wieghmink, OCDPH public information officer. "They most likely came into contact with somebody who already has it."

Wieghmink said she doesn't yet have a list of businesses in the area this individual may have gone to in recent days, but that the OCDPH would release that information if there is a possible public health risk.

"Our medical director is working to figure out what the risk level is for potential exposure," Wieghmink said. "We're diligently doing that contact tracing."

Among growing concerns the need for hospital beds will outpace their availability if the coronavirus continues to spread in the state, Whitmer reinforced her mandate Sunday that no gatherings of more than 250 people should occur. Schools statewide have already been shut down for three weeks.

Schmitt said starting Monday, Holland Hospital's emergency room entrance will remain open 24/7, but the other three entrances will only be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff will be located at all entrances to evaluate anyone entering the hospital for symptoms of respiratory infection, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. Staff will also be screening people who may have been in contact in the last 14 days with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

The OCDPH is reminding residents to do the following things to decrease the spread of COVID-19 cases:

Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing Avoid handshakes Avoid contact with sick people who are sick Stay home when you are sick

— Contact editor Audra Gamble at audra.gamble@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelAudra.