WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is activating the state’s Emergency Operations Center amid concerns of the coronavirus.
The governor along with state health officials and other federal agencies gave an update Friday morning at the center near Lansing explaining how Michigan is preparing to protect public health.
“By activating the State Emergency Operations Center, we’re ensuring that every branch of state government is on alert, and actively coordinating to prevent the spread of Coronavirus if it comes to Michigan. We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution. We will continue to take every necessary precaution to keep Michiganders safe,” Whitmer explained.
So far there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan.
Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says “While the current risk to the general public of getting COVID-19 is low, we need to use all of our public health tools to make sure we are prepared.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
CDC officials believe these symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services say the best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- 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.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
During the press conference Governor Whitmer encouraged replacing handshakes with “elbow bumps.”
As of February 27th, there were over 81,000 cases of the coronavirus globally, with over 78,000 of those in China.
For the most accurate updates on the coronavirus, Michiganders can go Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
