KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As of Sunday April 12, Kalamazoo County health officials have confirmed 84 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and seven have died.
The total number of cases rose on Friday to 78 individuals testing positive for the acute respiratory illness, one more case was added on Saturday, and five more were reported on Sunday.
Friday afternoon the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department confirmed that another older adult had died from the illness. A released statement declined to name or identify the individual but described them as having underlying medical conditions prior to contracting COVID-19.
On Monday, March 23, the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department reported their first three positive cases of the coronavirus.
At least two officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety have also tested positive. On Monday, March 30, the first COVID-19 death was reported in Kalamazoo County. Since then 6 more individuals have reportedly died from COVID-19 complications, all older adults.
Kalamazoo County recently announced the launch of a new test collection site in partnership with Western Michigan University and the Fifth District Medical Response Coalition. Potential carriers of COVID-19 who are referred by their primary care provider will be instructed to go to the drive-thru facility and provide testing samples.
Local hospitals including Bronson Methodist and Ascension Borgess have also stepped up efforts to address the pandemic, further limiting visitor access and expanding critical care units. Both Kalamazoo healthcare providers were recently approved by state regulators to expand the total number of beds available at their facilities.
Most recent state data has reported a total of 23,993 confirmed cases in Michigan of COVID-19, and 1,392 deaths from the virus.
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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.
