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COVID-19 Cases Continue to Increase in nthe Tri-county Area

Sunday May 10, 2020

Updated information for the service area of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency

It’s Spring, the sun is shining, the grass is growing, we want to get together with family and friends and shake off the long cold winter. But this year we are advised that we are “Safer at Home”, so this isn’t like any normal Spring. The Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency asks that all residents in Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph counties continue to Stay Home, Stay Safe through May 28th.

From May 4th to May 8th,there was an increase of 63% in positive COVID-19 cases in St. Joseph county, a 20% increase in Branch county, and a 15% increase in Hillsdale county. “The increase in positive cases is related to the expanded testing criteria which is leading to more people being able to get tested”, states Rebecca Burns, Health Officer for the tri-county health department. Expanded testing provides the local health department with information to limit disease spread in the community. Every individual that tests positive is contacted by the local health department and advised of their requirement to isolate and asked about their close contacts. Close contacts are then also notified and advised to quarantine for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms.

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Of the cases investigated recently by BHSJCHA, there continue to be someindividuals with symptoms who go to workand/orareout in the community exposing others. BHSJCHA is asking that everyone continue to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 which can include:

“We are finding that some people test positive for COVID-19but haveno symptoms”, says Dr. Vogel, DO Medical Director. “These individuals are considered asymptomatic. When they go out into the community, they can expose others when they don’t wear a mask and don’t practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands frequently.” Everyone who lives in Branch, Hillsdale, and St. Joseph counties has a role in stopping further spread of COVID-19, whether symptomatic or not. BHSJCHA asks that everyone take the following steps:

Information about the COVID-19 situation locally, and in Michigan is rapidly changing.

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