Three people in Michigan are being investigated for potential infection of the coronavirus, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday, Jan. 24.

The patients -- two from Washtenaw County and one from Macomb County -- present symptoms of a lower respiratory illness, fever and report traveling to Wuhan, China, where the deadly outbreak of the virus began, or have had contact with someone who is being investigated for the infection, according to a news release.

The state is immediately sending samples from the patients to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is the only lab in the U.S. that can test for the strand of coronavirus, according to the release. It’s unknown when the results will be available.

The Michigan cases are described as mild illnesses, according to the DHHS. The health departments from Washtenaw and Macomb counties are monitoring the patients and limiting contact with others to prevent a potential spread, the release states.

All three patients were identified on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Coronavirus is a respiratory illness common in animals and humans, but the new strand, called novel coronavirus 2019, has not been previously detected, according to the CDC. Public health screenings for travelers from Wuhan, about 12 hours south of Beijing, are in place at Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, San Francisco and New York airports.

Health officials warn patients to call a health care provider before seeking treatment for potential coronavirus symptoms so the appropriate preventive measures can be taken.

Information on the virus is changing quickly, Washtenaw County Health Department spokeswoman Susan Ringler-Cerniglia said. Michigan is at a low risk now, but she recommends frequently washing hands, covering coughs and taking other precautions similar to flu prevention.

The first case of the virus was reported on Jan. 21 in Washington state.

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