LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Oakland County Health Division and Wayne County Health Department announced Tuesday that two Michigan residents tested presumptive positive for coronavirus, the first confirmed cases in the state. The governor has declared a state of emergency to maximize efforts and assist local governments and officials to slow the spread of the virus, a press release from the governor’s office states.

“We are taking every step we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and keep Michiganders safe,” Whitmer said in the release. “I have declared a state of emergency to harness all of our resources across state government to slow the spread of the virus and protect families. It’s crucial that all Michiganders continue to take preventative measures to lower their risk, and to share this information with their friends, family and co-workers.”

One of the cases is an adult female from Oakland County with recent international travel and the other is an adult male from Wayne County with recent domestic travel. Clinical specimens were collected and sent to the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories where both tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. Specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.

“This patient in Wayne County is currently under isolation. Our Public Health Division is working to identify individuals who may have come into close contact with the patient so we can take appropriate steps and monitor them closely,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans in the press release. “We are continuing to collaborate with the state health department and recommend residents continue to practice prevention measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

On Tuesday, the Bay Mills Indian Community announced two of its employees may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus while on out-of-state travel to the Washington, D.C., area.

“Those employees reported the exposure immediately and are taking steps to distance themselves from others until they can be tested,” a press release from Bay Mills states.

The employees may have had contact with students and staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Bay Mills between their out-of-state travels and when they became aware of the possible exposure. Tribal administration reached out to other public health agencies immediately for advice and guidance.

As a measure of precaution, Bay Mills has closed its Boys & Girls Club activities –Bay Mills Club, Brimley Club and the Sault Ste. Marie Club — for the remainder of the week until test results can confirm whether or not the employees have been exposed or contracted the coronavirus.

“We recognize that this will be an inconvenience to students and parents who rely upon the after-school activities we provide through our Boys & Girls Club. We also recognize that this may raise concerns about the possible spread of this virus in our community,” the press release states. “It is important to note that we have not confirmed that anybody in our community has contracted the novel coronavirus.”

Elders and tribal members with compromised immune systems are relying on public health measures to protect their safety and the most effective method of slowing the spread of the virus is social distancing, the release states. As another preventative measure, the tribe has suspended all out-of-state travel on official business and is encouraging at-risk employees to consider working from home, if possible, including those with compromised immune systems, lung diseases, those over the age of 60 and employees who live with at-risk individuals.

“We will do our best to keep you updated, and will release information to tribal members and the community as it becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to take simple steps to protect your own health: wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough, avoid close contact with others who may be sick, and avoid close contact with others if you are experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed,” the release states.

Local health departments will be working diligently to identify anyone who has come in close contact with these cases and recommend they be assessed for symptoms and monitored appropriately, the release states.

There are steps residents can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold that will also help prevent coronavirus disease, including:

≤ Washing your hands with soap and water.

≤ Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

≤ Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

≤ Avoiding contact with people who are sick.

≤ Staying home if you are sick and contact your health care provider.

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.

The State of Michigan and MDHHS will announce additional recommendations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 this afternoon, the release notes.