KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As of Sunday April 19, another 7 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Kalamazoo County.
Daily reporting numbers released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Friday showed another fatality in the county linked to coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to nine.
The Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services says the individual was an older adult with underlying medical conditions. All nine deaths have been victims over 70-years-old.
166 total confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in the community, according to MDHHS.
A statement from local health officials reads, “HCS continues to work with all of our community partners as we address the challenges facing our community due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The best action people can take at this time is to adhere to the Governor’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ Executive Order and avoid all gatherings of any size. If you must go out for essentials services, wear a cloth face covering, maintain six feet distance with others, and wash your hands.”
In addition, state data shows that another person has died in Calhoun County on Friday, now having a total of 5 deaths and 141 cases.
Statewide numbers of people testing positive surpassed 30,000 this week and the number of people who have died from COVID-19 has reached 2,391.
More testing sites have started opening in the Kalamazoo area, part of a push by county health officials to get a better estimate of how many people are sick from the virus. The state government recently rolled out a directive ordered by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to open 13 new or expanded testing sites around Michigan.
The Family Health Center is operating a drive-thru testing clinic at Stones Church in Kalamazoo, and the Kalamazoo county health department has implemented a similar program with help from staff at WMed Health.
Public Health Officer Jim Rutherford said earlier this month that it is highly likely the number of actual cases is much higher than the official count of people testing positive.
MDHHS has loosened restrictions on who can become eligible for testing after being referred by a primary care provider.
Michigan’s current testing priority criteria include those who are:
- Hospitalized patients
- Symptomatic healthcare workers
- Patients in congregate facilities with symptoms, including those at long-term care of elderly living facilities, jails or prisons, homeless shelters, residential foster-care facilities, and other group living settings
- Patients age 65 and older with symptoms
- Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms
- First responders with symptoms
- Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms
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Common symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory ailments such as:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
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.
- Replace handshakes with elbow bumps.
- Stay at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
The MDHHS hotline for those reporting symptoms will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 535-6136. Kalamazoo County has also activated its COVID-19 hotline at (269) 373-5267.
– Josh Scott contributed to this report. –
