The LMAS District Health Department is announcing Luce County’s first positive case for COVID -19. This is the
first confirmed case in the four county district.
On March 25, 2020, LMAS District Health Department became aware of a positive COVID-19 case identified through Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Laboratory Testing.
According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, the identified case is an adult male currently housed at the Newberry Correctional Facility. The inmate was placed in isolation on March 16, 2020 and tested for the Coronavirus.
The Michigan DOC indicates the inmate arrived at the Newberry facility in November 2019, LMAS District Health Department believes the risk to the general public is low at this time. The inmate is in isolation at the
Newberry Facility and receiving care from Department of Corrections healthcare workers.
LMAS District Health Department is working with the Newberry Correctional Facility and is following current CDC guidance regarding case investigation and will follow-up with anyone who has been identified as a close contact. They will be assessed for symptoms and monitored appropriately.
The Health Department urges our community to continue to be cooperative with recommendations to keep yourself and others safe. This includes following the executive order instituted earlier this week from Governor Whitmer to “Stay Home, Stay Safe” and implement social distancing. Reducing person-to-person contact is the best way to slow and reduce the spread of this novel (new) virus which the population has no immunity to.
People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to safely recover at home. Seek medical care if your symptoms worsen by calling ahead to your provider. COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should wash their hands properly, avoid close contact with sick people, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
More information about COVID-19 and the Governor’s Executive Orders can be found at LMASDHD.org and Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. Updates will be provided when more information is available.
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