On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer confirmed the first two cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in Michigan and declared a state of emergency.
On Wednesday, Oakland County Executive David Coulter partially activated the county’s Emergency Operations Center to «assist and identify the needs of the community and to coordinate communications with community partners. He has also suspended all work-related air travel for county employees.
«This is a really evolving situation,» he said. «We’re monitoring it constantly.»
To date, 34 Oakland County residents have tested negative for the virus along with the one positive test. A total of 34 are currently under investigation with test results pending.
Dr. Russel Faust, the county’s chief medical executive, said referrals are being made daily the state lab for virus testing.
Although the county is receiving many phone calls from those wanting to be tested, he said the county continues to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines when determining who to refer for testing.
«Those being referred for testing have traveled to affected countries or have been in contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19,» he said. «They have also exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 such as a fever, cough, and shortness of breath.»
