CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI-- The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in the U.P. has been confirmed in Chippewa County.
The Chippewa County Health Department says it was made aware of the case Sunday. An adult man with a medical history is currently hospitalized in isolation, not in Chippewa County. Officials say a specimen will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.
The Health Department believes the risk to the general public is minimal at this time. An investigation is underway to determine if additional people were in close contact with the man.
Chippewa County Health Officer Karen Senkus says, “People must strictly practice social distancing at this time. Coronavirus is likely in our community and not everyone who has it will be sick. This is why it is so important to distance yourself. If you are sick, isolate yourself at home whether you have been tested or not. Act as though you have it if you have symptoms that resemble COVID-19.”
COVID-19 symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
