March 25, 2020
First Presumptive Positive COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Shiawassee County
The following is a joint press release from Memorial Healthcare and the Shiawassee County Health Department:
Memorial Healthcare has identified the first presumptive positive case for novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The presumptive case is a 33-year old male from Owosso, who was treated at Memorial Healthcare and transferred to the University of Michigan hospital on March 24, 2020. The Shiawassee County Health Department will contact people who have been in close contact with this individual.
“We knew this day would come, we have been preparing accordingly and will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to reduce the spread of COVID-19.” said Shiawassee County Health Officer, Larry Johnson.
As a precaution, the Shiawassee County Health Department and Memorial Healthcare is asking anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days to avoid potentially exposing others. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus.
“With this first presumptive positive case in Shiawassee County we again urge everyone to follow closely the precautions and guidance that has been given,” said Brian Long, FACHE, President/CEO of Memorial Healthcare. “Over the span of the past week, we’ve added specific screening, care and treatment areas for COVID-19 patients, and our amazing staff has been working tirelessly to mitigate the spread of the virus in our community.”
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should wash their hands, stay home when they are sick, avoid close contact with sick people, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and practice social distancing.
The Memorial Healthcare Alternate Care Site remains open on a walk-in basis from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week for mild to moderate flu-like symptoms at 826 W. King St. Owosso, MI, 48867. For those with severe symptoms, county residents should call 9-1-1 or proceed to the emergency department. We ask that you call the Memorial Healthcare emergency department at (989) 723-5211 before your arrival if possible.