For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Ringler Cerniglia, Public Information Officer
Washtenaw County Health Department
[email protected]
734-678-7010
Washtenaw County Health Department Provides Data on Probable COVID-19 Cases
Probable cases are directly linked to confirmed cases, but not tested
YPSILANTI, Mich., April 24, 2020 – Washtenaw County Health Department is now providing additional data on “probable” cases of COVID-19. Probable cases are generally defined as cases that have been directly linked to a confirmed case, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, but were not tested. Reporting will begin with today’s daily update at approximately 3:00 p.m.
“Testing remains a challenge,” says Jimena Loveluck, MSW, Washtenaw County Health Officer. “We know confirmed cases can’t yet give us a complete picture of what’s happening locally, and we’re doing everything we can to understand the impact of COVID-19 more fully in Washtenaw County.”
Probable cases are reported in conjunction with confirmed cases. They can provide a more complete picture of illness locally than confirmed cases alone. Washtenaw County Health Department has been tracking probable cases since March 21 and defined them as an individual with known, close contact with a confirmed case who then developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Close contact means an individual was less than 6 feet away for more than 10 minutes, and neither person was wearing a face covering. Most close contacts are members of the same household.
Contact Tracing
Washtenaw County Health Department identifies probable cases through ongoing contact tracing. We contact each individual with confirmed COVID-19, interview them, and document where they have been and who was in close contact with them. Those in close contact with a confirmed case are considered high risk and contacted directly. Throughout this process, the Health Department works to provide needed support to individuals and families instructed to isolate or quarantine.
Testing Challenges
COVID-19 testing is still limited, and currently testing is not capturing milder cases of illness in our community. Testing also remains unavailable to individuals that do not fit the priorities defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Testing criteria in Michigan now includes individuals with mild symptoms and essential workers still reporting to work in person, with or without symptoms, when resources and capacity allow. But local health care providers continue to report shortages of the supplies needed to complete tests.
Prevention
It remains critically important for people to follow social distancing guidelines, wear a cloth face covering when in public, only leave their home for essential reasons, and wash their hands frequently. This will allow us to continue to minimize the number of people who get sick.
Updates
Please continue to rely on official sources of information for local (www.washtenaw.org/covid19), state (www.michigan.gov/coronavirus), and national (http://www.cdc.gov/COVID19) updates.
Health Department staff are available to address urgent questions by phone or email: 734-544-6700 or [email protected]. If you call, please leave a message. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also operates a COVID-19 hotline 888-535-6136 daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Resources
Washtenaw County Health Department
The Washtenaw County Health Department promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury in our community. Our mission is to assure, in partnership with the community, the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through prevention and protection programs.
The Washtenaw County Health Department has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board and maintains state accreditation though the Michigan
Department of Health and Human Services. Visit us at washtenaw.org/health or call 734-544-6700.
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