BERRIEN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Berrien County Health Department is confirming three additional positive cases of COVID-19 that were reported over the weekend, making a total of 5 confirmed cases as of Monday, March 23rd in Berrien County.
The cases are described as follows:
- The first new positive case is an adult male over the age of sixty, and is the spouse of another positive case related to the Sandi Patty concert exposure reported earlier.
- The second newly identified positive case is also an adult make over the age of sixty, but is not associated with the Sandi Patty concert exposure. These two cases are self-isolating at home to recover from their symptoms.
- The third case is an adult male, over the age of sixty who is recovering Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. It is not known at this time if this individual’s COVID-19 exposure was related to the Sandi Patty concert.
At this time, health officials are communicating directly with the people who had been in close contact with these individuals. All those in close contact will be asked to self-quarantine and will be further assessed and monitored.
“Based on the increase of COVID-19 cases across the region, residents can assume that there is a possibility the virus may be present when they are in public places in the community,” Berrien County Health Department officer Nicki Britten said. “Everyone should be taking all recommended prevention measures by practicing social distancing and heeding Executive Orders that are in place. Our collective goal remains to slow the spread of cases as much as possible.”
Berrien County officials are urging all sick residents to stay home and contact their individual healthcare providers. Residents with symptoms, including cough, fever and shortness of breath can contact the free Spectrum Health virtual screening phone line available to all Michigan residents at 616-391-2380 to determine if testing is necessary.
Spectrum Health Lakeland has responded by moving some key clinical areas into the new Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion in St. Joseph. This is meant to help create additional capacity and an isolation unit in case a surge of cases occurs.
All residents should be practicing the following prevention tactics:
- wash your hands often with soap and water;
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- avoid handshakes;
- keep at least six feet apart from others when in public;
- avoid contact with sick people who are sick; and
- stay home when you are sick.
Berrien County residents can stay updated on these developments by visiting www.bchdmi.org or www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org.
On a State level, Governor Whitmer has issued a stay-at-home order for all Michigan residents, which goes into effect Tuesday. Local law enforcement agencies in Berrien County remind citizens that misdemeanors can be issued if the Executive Order is defied.
“Local law enforcement can issue 93-Day misdemeanor citations for Executive Order violations and those cases may be prosecuted by the state’s Attorney General Office or the local prosecutor,” Prosecutor Mike Sepic said.
The news of these cases also comes as officials are confirming the first cases in Kalamazoo County.
