KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Public officials in Kalamazoo are providing citizens with an update into the status of Coronavirus preparation.
The virus, also known as COVID-19, originated from China. Although there have been some suspected cases, no actual infections have been reported in Michigan.
Public Safety Assistant Chief Jeffrey VanderWiere was called to give a presentation during a city meeting on Monday, March 2.
“As of today, there are approximately 90,000 confirmed cases globally, most of which those originate in mainland China,” VanderWiere said. “There are currently no confirmed cases in the State of Michigan, the closest confirmed cases to us are in Chicago, IL, Cook County, where there’s three. There are a few cases in Canada, bordering Detroit.”
In contrast, VanderWiere pointed out that there were 32 million cases of the flu virus globally as of January.
“I think it’s important to bring that to light, because while we need to be diligent and concerned about the coronavirus, it’s important that we weigh what we’re spreading and what we’re telling this community so that we don’t create fear or panic.”
VanderWiere then discussed what the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is doing in order to prepare for a possible outbreak.
“We are having daily conversations both internally and with our external partners; the County Health Department, the Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management, and [Dr. William Fales],” VanderWiere said. “With that communication, we are also going to start a communication campaign with the citizens of the community.”
Part of this campaign will be ensuring that the same message is being appropriately sent to citizens.
“Our city website will be linked with the County Health Department so that there’s a consistent message being sent throughout the county as it relates to this virus,” VanderWiere said. “Additionally, KDPS will begin a social media campaign focused around general precautions, similar to flu precautions, such as washing hands and staying home if you don’t feel well.”
KDPS has also begun formulating emergency precautions as a contingency for first responders.
“If someone calls 911 and are exhibiting symptoms such as respiratory distress or fever, that will elicit further screening questions,” VanderWiere said. “Have they been out of the country in the last two weeks, have they been around someone who could have been affected? If any of those questions come back positive, that information is immediately relayed to first responders while they’re responding. We’ll institute additional personal protection protocols with that patient.”
Additional health equipment, such as masks, gowns and hand sanitizer will be issued for first responders and possible COVID-19 patients.
“All of our personnel are currently going through protocol and precautions training relative to that virus,” VanderWiere said.
Most importantly, VanderWiere said that the best thing to do is stay as informed as possible.
“At this time, my recommendation, quite simply is we stay in communication with the community, and that we try not to create any more fear or panic relative to this virus.”
Health officials maintain that the best way to avoid infection is to avoid contact with people who may have contracted the virus, practice good hygiene, and avoid travelling to affected countries.
For the most accurate updates on the coronavirus, citizens can go to Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
