• Ingham County Health Department Updates

INGHAM COUNTY - Ingham County Health Department has been working hard to update the people of their community on this pandemic. The coronavirus has changed everyday lives into a quarantined environment. Updates from the Health Department consist of:

-There are 5 cases in Ingham County recorded on March 17th.

-The coronavirus is making people few very sick. It is not another "cold."

-A person can get the coronavirus from close contact with a person. Roughly 6 feet or 2 meters away.

-People tend to pass the virus when they are at their sickest.

-There is no vaccine as of right now. There are safety precautions to take.

The safety precautions listed from the health department are:

-Avoid close contact with people, especially those who are sick.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing, and before eating. (If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.)

-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects such as door knobs.

-Stay home if you are sick.

The CDC does not recommend face masks unless they are certain they have the virus or show symptoms. Testing is available to people showing symptoms. The COVID-19 has brought a new type of situation for the world. It is important to stay patient as scientists work on a possible vaccine for the coronavirus. Enjoy time with your family and stay smart, clean, and proactive.

The situation poses a serious public health risk. Different parts of the country are seeing different stages of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is currently in the initiation levels, but states where community spread is occurring are in the moving forward stage.

More updates from the health department involve where the cases initiated.

U.S. COVID-19 cases include:

-Imported cases in travelers

-Cases among close contacts of a known case

-Community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown.

-Three U.S. states are experiencing sustained community spread.

The CDC recommends that everyone does their part to help respond to this public threat. It is important to take part in social distancing. If you come in contact or think you came in contact with anyone with COVID-19, contact a health official immediately .

The health department states that:

"A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide."

More updates will be posted as this outbreak continues. The updates can be found on the Ingham county website attached below.