As of November 7, 2020, Lenawee County has moved to risk level “E” (Low is best, E is worst), which is an indicator of the risk of spread of COVID-19 in the community (https://www.mistartmap.info/). The percentage of tests returning with positive results has increased from 4.6% on October 30, 2020 to 8.5% on November 5, 2020. The 7-day average of new daily cases per million in Lenawee has risen from 169.7 on October 30, 2020 to 203.1 daily cases per million on November 5, 2020.
Yesterday, November 9, 2020, Lenawee County reported a total of 1397 total cases of COVID- 19; 98 of those cases were new cases since November 6, 2020, nearly 100 new cases in three days. Today we reported 1429 total cases; 323 of those cases are active cases with 4 of those cases hospitalized. Even with assistance from our State partners, the Health Department has exceeded our capacity to contact COVID-19 positive cases in a timely manner, which has required us to prioritize the order in which we are contacting cases. We are asking that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 please do the following:
- Take this disease seriously - what may be a mild illness for one person, may be a severe illness with devastating consequences for another.
- Isolate for 10 days: Individuals need to isolate at home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or 10 days from the day a positive test sample was collected if they don’t have symptoms. After 10 days, if your symptoms have improved, and you are fever free without the use of medications for at least 24 hours, it is ok to return to normal activities. If you are still feeling sick, please consult with a medical professional as some people can be contagious for a longer period.
- If someone is experiencing trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, bluish lips or face or is unable to wake or stay awake, seek medical care immediately.
- Notify all of your close contacts and ask that they quarantine at home : a close contact includes those that you have been within 6 ft. of for more than a total of 15 minutes.
- Close contacts need to self-quarantine at home for 14 days after their last contact with the COVID-19 positive person, during the time they were considered contagious and monitor for symptoms. If they develop symptoms they should get tested. Individuals are considered contagious 2 days before symptom onset, or if asymptomatic (no symptoms), 2 days before they are tested.
- If you have questions or need an isolation or quarantine letter for your employer, you can call the Lenawee County Health Department, (517) 264-5244 and leave a message.
The increase in cases in Lenawee County has also brought about an increased need for testing.
To meet this need, Lenawee County will begin offering no-cost COVID-19 testing beginning on November 14, 2020. Tests can be scheduled on-line at www.Lenaweehealthdepartment.org. Attached to this press release is a flyer providing additional details of the testing.
Anyone can be tested, with or without symptoms and a doctor’s order is not needed. The Lenawee County Health Department encourages all residents to get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, the Health Department encourages all residents to practice prevention strategies such as staying home when sick, wearing face coverings, maintaining 6 feet of distance from those who do not live in your household and handwashing to prevent the spread of the virus and protect our healthcare resources.
Dr. Julie Yaroch, President, Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, stated “It is very common to see an increase in the number of hospitalized patients in the fall and winter months, coinciding with the seasonal flu. However, this year, we have COVID-19 in addition to the flu, and these cases are on the rise. Even with the new hospital designed to better manage a pandemic, it is still possible for us to become overwhelmed, especially if COVID-19 numbers continue to trend upward. Now more than ever, we all need to follow the preventative measures that help minimize the spread of this disease and ensure that our hospital can continue to provide safe and effective care for all patients.”