Immediately quarantine if you suspect symptoms of COVID-19, exposure

ANN ARBOR – Due to an exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in the region, the Washtenaw County Health Department announced Thursday that it is now experiencing delays in contact tracing calls and emails.

“Don’t wait for a call from the health department,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer for the Washtenaw County health department said in a statement. “At this point, we all know we should stay away from others if you’ve tested positive, are showing symptoms, are waiting for test results, or are in close contact.

“With the escalation of cases and associated hospitalizations, we cannot tackle all situations as quickly as we would like. We can always prevent additional cases, protect individual health, and conserve resources as much as possible by following established public health guidelines for isolation or quarantine, depending on your situation. We are constantly monitoring and adjusting our priorities. and work to expand our capacity as much as possible. “

As of November 10, a total of 6,885 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Washtenaw County, and 133 new confirmed cases and 9 hospitalizations have been recorded within 24 hours.

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Over the past week, the average number of new cases per day in Washtenaw County was 97, compared to the second week of October when it was 35 per day.

Additionally, most of the current cases are no longer associated with students or young adults and involve the entire county. The Department of Health works closely with university officials to monitor student cases.

If you are HIV positive or have symptoms, the health service advises you to isolate yourself for 10 days. If you’ve come into close contact with someone who has tested positive, the guidelines recommend quarantining them for 14 days.

Washtenaw County Health Department case investigators are currently prioritizing the following:

• People aged 0 to 17
• People aged 60 and over
• People living in local postal codes 48197 and 48198
• People residing in high-risk collective settings such as long-term care facilities
• People of all ages who are at higher risk of serious illness or complications

The Department of Health will contact priority cases as soon as possible upon receipt of the test result.

All other residents who test positive should follow established guidelines and will be contacted when capacity permits. Those who are not contacted promptly or not at all are urged to continue to self-isolate or quarantine according to the latest guidelines.

More information on COVID-19 on the Washtenaw County Department of Health website:

If you have tested positive or have symptoms

If you test positive for COVID-19, self-isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of your symptoms or your positive test date if you have no symptoms. Let your close contacts know that they may have been exposed. Close contact is someone who is within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes in total with or without a face mask. A person is considered contagious 2 days before their symptoms start or before they test positive if they do not have symptoms.

If you are a close contact (exposed)

Close contacts should be quarantined for 14 days. If you are exposed but are not showing symptoms, please wait at least 5 days before testing, and remember that a negative test does NOT eliminate the need to quarantine for the full 14 days. Isolation or quarantine requires staying away from others and public places unless you seek medical attention or testing.

Work places

The health department will continue to assist businesses and workplaces with COVID-19 issues and positive employees, as capacity permits. This includes prioritizing situations or groups that may be of greatest concern because of their size, environment, or impact on the most vulnerable people. Don’t wait for the health department to contact your business or organization to take action. See advice in the workplace.

Test

Tests are available in multiple locations and through different vendors. With the current surge in cases in Michigan and the United States, test results may be delayed. If your results take longer, please continue to isolate yourself while you wait for the results.

The Department of Health continues to work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the HONU Management Group to provide accessible drive-thru tests at no additional cost. The next pop-up testing opportunities are scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at the Ypsilanti District Library at 5577 Whittaker Road and Saturday, November 21 at the Washtenaw County Department of Health at 555 Towner Street.

Both events are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drive-thru or walk-in service

No charge with or without insurance

Tests are available with or without symptoms

Pre-register for November 14 or November 21 and arrive any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Prevention

The virus responsible for COVID-19 continues to circulate locally. The risk of exposure is present whenever you are in public or have direct contact with others. To reduce the spread of the disease, the health department recommends wearing a face cover, keeping a distance of six feet from other people who are not in your home, washing your hands frequently, and avoid others if you have symptoms.

These prevention strategies are most effective when combined. Their use remains vital in slowing the spread of the disease and preventing as many cases of COVID-19 as possible – especially as the weather gets colder, more activities are indoors, and the flu can begin. to circulate locally.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has also issued guidelines for vacation activities and travel during COVID-19.

Local information on COVID-19 is available at www.washtenaw.org/covid19.

Department of Health staff are available to answer questions. Call 734-544-6700 or email [email protected].

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