The results for three possible cases of coronavirus in Michigan have all come back negative, Michigan health officials announced on Monday. Two of the cases came from Washtenaw County and one came from Macomb County.
A fourth possible case from Washtenaw County was sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday for testing. The CDC is currently the only approved testing for the coronavirus, according to a statement from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“We are pleased to announce that the results were negative from Michigan’s first three patients under investigation,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS (pictured above), in a statement.
The CDC said it is currently working to make testing for the virus more accessible.
The Wuhan coronavirus, which is still lacking an official name, is a respiratory virus that was first detected in Wuhan, China. This strain has not been previously detected in animals or humans, and the exact source is still unclear. Person-to-person spread of the virus has occurred, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The coronavirus is similar to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to CNN.
More than 80 people internationally have died from the virus and more than 2,700 have been confirmed ill, according to CNN. Many countries, including the United State and Israel, have warned against travelling to China, and some are bringing their citizens back to their home country.
Public health screenings for those travelling from Wuhan have been put into place at five U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Lose Angeles and New York.
“We encourage healthcare providers to remain vigilant in screening patients for symptoms and travel history, and to contact their local health departments immediately if they see a potential case,” Khaldun said.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Dr. Joneigh Khaldun” by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.
