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3 Michigan coronavirus samples tested negative

January 28, 2020
<p>First aid kit. Design by: Genna Barner</p>

First aid kit. Design by: Genna Barner

Three possible cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Michigan came back negative, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS. A fourth possible case from Washtenaw County has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, on Monday for testing.

State health officials are pleased with the results, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in a press release.

“We encourage healthcare providers to remain vigilant in screening patients for symptoms and travel history, and to contact their local health departments immediately if they see a potential case,” she said in the release.

The CDC, MDHHS and local health departments are still actively monitoring the outbreak situation that originated in Wuhan, China.

MDDHS set up a website with the latest information available, to search which cases are being tested, Lynn Sutfin, an MDHHS public information officer said.

"People can track how many cases are being looked at, how many cases have come back positive, which are not," Sutfin said. "In addition we have been working very closely with our local health departments and health providers across the state."

Suftin also added that it is unlikely to contract the virus unless you have a travel history in China.

If someone traveled to China and began experiencing coughing, a fever, and shortness of breath, they should contact their health provider right away, Sutfin said. It is important to let health providers know if you think you have the illness before going to the doctor so that precautions can be made to stop it from spreading.

"Right now, we're letting people know that you are definitely in more danger from the flu," Sutfin said. "We definitely urge you to go get your influenza vaccine if you haven't. And then just ways to keep yourself healthy overall, would be to making sure that you're washing your hands often with soap and water, covering your cough, stay home if you're sick so you don't spread any viruses."

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