Authorities have identified the first presumptive case of Covid-19 in St. Clair County. The St. Clair County Health Department and officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case Thursday, identifying the patient as a middle-aged male with a history of domestic travel. The man is said to be in stable condition and is self-quarantined at home. Officials stressed that the patient took proper precautions and minimized his contact with others.
Early Friday morning, the Oakland County Health Department shared a list of times and locations across the state, advising anyone who may have been present to be alert for Covid-19 symptoms. One of those was the Fort Gratiot Hobby Lobby at 1 p.m. on March 5th.
Dr. Annette Mercatante of the St. Clair County Health Department says they do not want the community to panic. She adds that people who feel the least bit sick should stay home and contact their healthcare provider for clinical guidance, and that testing will be determined based on risk assessment.
Meanwhile, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that, effective Monday, all of Michigan’s public and private schools will closed through April 5 to combat the spread of a rising number of coronavirus cases. The announcement Thursday night came as officials said 10 more cases have been confirmed in Michigan, raising the tally to 12. Officials say all the new cases are adults – three in Kent County; two in Oakland County; two from Washtenaw County; and one each from Ingham, St. Clair and Montcalm counties. Michigan’s chief medical executive says she’s concerned with the federal government’s ability to provide enough COVID-19 tests.
Sanilac County Health Department Health Officer Bryant Wilke said Thursday night that testing is currently very limited throughout the state of Michigan. He says the Sanilac County Health Department is working with State and Federal partners to be able to eventually provide testing to all county medical providers and health clinics. Wilke also says if anyone needs to speak to the department’s Communicable Disease Nurse to call 810-270-5889 or e-mail Covid19@SanilacHealth.com
Sanilac Broadcasting will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 as they become available.
