First presumptive positive COVID-19 case confirmed in Chippewa County

CHIPPEWA County, Michigan – Testing through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has identified Chippewa County’s first presumptive positive case for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Specimen will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing.

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 22, 2020, Chippewa County Health Department (CCHD) became aware of a presumptive positive COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) case. CCHD believes the risk to the general public is minimal at this time. The presumptive positive person is an adult man with a medical history. The man is currently hospitalized in isolation, not in Chippewa County.

An investigation is underway to determine if additional people were in close contact with the individual. “People must strictly practice social distancing at this time,” said Chippewa County Health Officer Karen Senkus. “Coronavirus is likely in our community and not everyone who has it will be sick. This is why it is so important to distance yourself. If you are sick,
isolate yourself at home whether you have been tested or not. Act as though you have it if you have symptoms that resemble COVID-19.”

COVID-19 symptoms may appear in a few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should wash their hands, stay home when sick, avoid close contact with sick people, and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.