BERRIEN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Berrien County Health Department is alerting the public about a potential exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from a recent concert.
The concert in question was by artist and singer Sandi Patty, which took place at Andrews University in Berrien Springs. Patty confirmed via Facebook that she has contracted the virus.
Health officials say she performed a concert at Andrews University Howard Performing Arts Center on the evening of March 8th and hosted several individuals for a special in-person experience after the concert.
As a result, the Berrien County Health Department is now collaborating with Andrews University and Spectrum Health Lakeland to ensure that individuals who had close personal contact with Ms. Patty who have been experiencing symptoms are tested for COVID-19.
Test results have been sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories and are pending at this time.
The health department says that all concert attendees that had contact with Patty at any time during her visit on the campus to self-quarantine at home and monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, and attendees should do so through March 22nd.
Those who are self-quarantining as a result of this development should contact the Berrien County Health Department hotline at 1-800-815-5485 if symptoms begin.
The Berrien County Health Department has further explanations of self-quarantine and self-monitoring on their website.
Health officials maintain that practicing good hygiene is the best way to avoid getting infected:
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, as much as possible.
- 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.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
