The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order requiring hospitals and other organizations testing for the coronavirus COVID-19 to focus on specimens with “public health significance."

The order, effective immediately and indefinitely, states that Michigan lacks the laboratory capacity to quickly process the samples of every person tested for the coronavirus. Facilities must put a priority on testing samples from people known to be at a higher risk of exposure.

MDHHS is ordering all facilities to follow its guidelines to prioritize testing and sampling, while also imposing additional requirements for reporting confirmed cases and deaths. The order also sets standards for how physicians and other health professionals label specimens.

“To save lives, we need to do two things: dedicate our limited lab capacity to the highest priority tests and obtain consistent, timely reports on hospital beds and PPE,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said in a release.

Samples from people associated with active investigations of exposure sites or otherwise known to have a risk of exposure should be tested first, under the order.

All laboratory tests must be reported to MDHHS within four hours of completion of the test, whether negative or positive.

Health facilities are required to inform local health officers of a death related to the coronavirus within two hours. Deaths must be reported to the sate within 24 hours.

Michigan hospitals are also required to submit daily reports on their bed capacity. Regular reports are also required to track laboratory testing capacity, inventory of personal protection equipment, inventory of ventilators, number of patients on ventilators, staffing shortages and a census of patients.

“This is another step the state is taking toward saving lives during this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “The ultimate goal is to slow the spread of the virus so our health care system doesn’t get overwhelmed and we prevent as much illness as possible.”

Michigan’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on March 10. Since then, the number of confirmed cases has grown exponentially, reaching 1,328 as of March 23.

The coronavirus is an infectious respiratory disease that can cause serious illness or death. It is particularly harmful among vulnerable populations and people with compromised immune systems, but can also seriously affect younger people.

COVID-19 is a new strain of the coronavirus that can easily spread from person to person if proper social distancing guidelines are not followed. There is no approved vaccine or cure for the disease.

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.

Complete coverage of coronavirus in Michigan.