Jordan Beck | Daily Press Lorene Maulding, a licensed practical nurse at Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties, uses hand sanitizer to clean her hands Friday. Local authorities have been preparing for the possibility of the coronavirus arriving in the area.

ESCANABA — Though no cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Michigan as of this morning, local authorities have been preparing for the possibility of the virus arriving in the area.

Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties (PHDM) Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dayna Kapp said PHDM has met with a number of organizations locally to discuss a coronavirus response.

“PHDM has been working with Emergency Management, OSF St. Francis Hospital, Delta County Medical Control Authority, first responders, healthcare providers and other Upper Peninsula Health Departments,” she said.

It has also spoken with some school districts.

“Schools have their own emergency plans, but we have talked with the ISDs in Delta and Menominee counties, as well,” Kapp said.

According to Kapp, coronavirus testing will not be handled locally.

“Currently, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is the only laboratory in the state that has the capability to test for the novel coronavirus called COVID-19. On March 5, 2020, MDHHS issued a press release that stated they have enough supplies to test over 300 people,” Kapp said.

Kapp also provided a look at how PHDM would respond to a confirmed case of coronavirus in its service area.

“If a test came back positive in Delta or Menominee counties, PHDM would provide instructions on how to best isolate the ill person at home (if not hospitalized) and determine who has been in close contact with them. Those close contacts will be asked to stay home for 14 days and we will check in with them daily to make sure they are not developing symptoms like fever, cough or shortness of breath,” she said.

Recently, a number of local residents have been stocking up on supplies in response to the threat of coronavirus. Kapp encouraged people living in the area to think ahead and have a plan in place for what they would do if they or someone in their family became ill and they were unable to attend work or school.

“We encourage all residents to be able to sustain themselves and their families for at least three days in the event of any type of emergency,” she said.

As part of this, people can make sure they have sufficient supplies of shelf-stable food, water and essential medications.

Kapp did not encourage people to start panic-buying, however.

“Stockpiling masks, gloves, bleach, toilet paper, etc. in anticipation of COVID-19 reaching Michigan is not necessary,” she said.

Many actions taken to limit the spread of the flu and the common cold can also help limit the spread of coronavirus, Kapp said. Steps people can take include:

– Washing their hands often with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer when soap is not available.

– Covering their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing.

– Not touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

– Avoiding contact with people who are sick.

– Staying home and contacting their healthcare provider when they are sick.

Finally, Kapp emphasized the importance of getting coronavirus-related information from reliable sources, such as www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.

“We encourage people to prepare, not panic,” she said.