Michigan currently had 53 confirmed cases of the coronavirus after 20 more cases were recently confirmed, the the state Department of Health and Human Services announced on Sunday.
The virus, identified by medical professionals as COVID-19, has been confirmed in seven different counties: Washtenaw County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Kent County, Wayne County, Ottawa County and St. Clair County. It has also been confirmed in the city of Detroit.
Although many of the cases have unknown travel or contact history, four of the patients had contact with a person with COVID-19 and four had a history of international travel. One of the patients is described as a “child,” although it is unclear what specific age.
The state first confirmed cases of coronavirus on March 10. There are currently 30 other cases that are pending confirmation, according to officials.
The illness spread quickly across the United States, with currently nearly 3,500 confirmed cases and 68 deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are cases in every state except West Virginia.
Sometimes referred to as Wuhan Flu, the novel coronavirus originated from the city Wuhan, China. It has spread to 151 other countries and infected more than 167,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. The death toll is currently 6,606 people across the world. WHO says the risk assessment is “very high.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. It can have an incubation period between two and 14 days. Older individuals over 50 years of age and/or those with serious underlying health conditions are at particular risk. Younger people – including children – do not appear to be effected by the disease, but they can carry it and later infect others.
The CDC has recommended that all events that gather 50 or more people be canceled or postponed. Michigan is among of several states to begin imposing restrictions, including closing down bars and entertainment venues, as well as restricting restaurants to only take-out or delivery.
For updated information about the coronavirus’ impact in Michigan, go to https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus. For national information, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.
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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].
