COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
Declaration allows shift in resources to assist residents affected by virus
Oakland County Executive David Coulter has declared a state of emergency in the county, allowing him to shift resources quickly to assist residents, businesses and communities affected by the spread of the coronavirus.
By Friday night, more COVID19 cases had been confirmed in Michigan, bringing the statewide total to 25. On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer confirmed 10 cases, including two new cases in Oakland County.
In addition, Whitmer signed an executive order closing of all K-12 school buildings, public, private and boarding to students, with the restriction lasting until Sunday, April 5. Childcare facilities will remain open On Friday, Whitmer announced a temporary ban on
all public events and gatherings of over 250 people to help slow the spead of the virus through April 5.
Coulter said the declaration was necessary to open a path for federal funds, should they become available. He added that the county is in the process of creating food and medical programs for school districts, while school is suspended in the state.
“We will take all necessary steps to slow the spread of this virus,” he said. “The effects of this public health emergency are still unfolding, and we want to ensure that people with immediate needs get help as quickly as possible. A state of emergency is meant to reassure Oakland County residents that we are leveraging every resource to contain the virus.”
The county has also established the Oakland County Help Hotline, (248)858-1000, to address nonhealth needs of the general public such as food or housing assistance. The hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Callers with specific needs will be directed to county departments and divisions that can help or to other agencies and programs that can assist.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner said no one in Oakland County will lose their property to tax foreclosure because of circumstances related to Coronavirus, including taxpayers who contract the virus, are required to self-quarantine or anyone facing circumstances related to the virus and its broad impact.
“I want everyone in Oakland County to focus their attention on staying healthy and preventing the spread of the virus, not on whether or not they could lose their property,” he said. “The Treasurer’s Office has your back.”
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been reemphasizing what to look for and what to do:
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
Whitmer has also declared a state of emergency in order to maximize state efforts and assist local governments to slow the spread. Earlier this year, she activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to coronavirus and created four task forces to combat the spread of the virus.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a total of 135 Michiganders have been approved for COVID-19 testing, 120 have tested negative, and 26 test results are pending. Of the 554 Michiganders that have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, there are currently 172 Michiganders in isolation and under active monitoring by county health departments.
There have been more than 1,700 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in the U.S., causing over 30 deaths, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, around 128,000 cases have been confirmed in over 120 countries and regions. Of that number, around around 70,000 people have recovered while more than 4,700 people have died.