Seventh Michigan coronavirus test comes back negative

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LANSING – The most recent test for coronavirus in Michigan returned a negative result.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Monday tested a sample from a person who traveled through the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The person does not live in Michigan.

The sample was the seventh the state has tested for coronavirus, known as COVID-19. All have come back negative.

The other six people tested included three from Washtenaw County, one from Macomb and two from Oakland.

More than 360 cases have been referred to MDHHS for assessment or monitoring but so far only the seven cases have met guidelines for testing.

Across the United States, there are six deaths and more than 80 cases of coronavirus. All the deaths so far have been in Washington state, according to USA TODAY.

MDHHS expects the volume of cases in need of testing to increase as the CDC expanded its definitions for who should be tested for the disease.

The CDC criteria wants a patient with fever or lower respiratory illness to be tested if they came into contact with someone with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset; have a history of travel from affected geographic areas; or were hospitalized for a respiratory condition without alternative explanatory diagnosis or sources of exposure identified.

Initially, Michigan sent is coronavirus test samples to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be tested. The state’s lab began performing the tests for coronavirus on Friday.

Officials said the state lab has the capacity to handle an increase in testing.

“At this time, we are confident in our ability to test incoming samples in a timely manner,” MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin said in an email. “If needed, the CDC continues to provide testing for coronavirus disease 2019.”

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS' chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health, was pleased that the state processed its first test within hours, according to a statement released on Saturday.

“While the current risk to the general public in the U.S. is low, we expect to see more cases, including cases where we are uncertain of the source of their infection," Khaldun said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday opened Michigan’s Emergency Operations Center to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak.

Symptoms of COVID-19 included fever, cough or shortness of breath. MDHHS says symptoms can appear up to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

MDHHS offered preventive steps people can take to prevent the spread of contagious diseases:

Wash your hands with soap and water

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

Stay home if you are sick and contact a health care provider

The state will post updated information online at Michigan.gov/coronavirus.

Contact reporter Craig Lyons at 517-377-1047 or calyons@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @craigalyons.