Pontiac, MI - County Executive David Coulter has asked former Congressman Sander Levin to assist Oakland County’s internal and external coronavirus readiness efforts.
“I want to supplement our strong internal efforts with an independent advisor who can assist our staff and collaborate with community partners,” Coulter said. “Sandy Levin is uniquely qualified with his expertise on health care issues from his work on the Ways and Means committee, international relations, and his deep roots in Oakland County.”
Rep. Levin will meet with the internal staff team and then there will be initial outreach to other levels of government and private sector partners.
The internal team includes:
- Kathleen Forzley, Director, Oakland County Health & Human Services Director
- Leigh-Anne Stafford, Health Officer
- Thomas Hardesty, Homeland Security Manager
- David VanderVeen, Central Service Director, who oversees Oakland County International Airport
- Mark Newman. Director, Public Services
- Bill Mullan, Media & Communications Officer
- Mike McCready, Senior Business Advisor in Economic Development & Community Affairs
- Bret Rasegan, Manager, Planning & Economic Development
- Chris Ward, Chief of Staff, Board of Commission
- April Lynch, Deputy County Executive
- Captain Larry Perry, Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response and Preparedness
- Megan Noland, Sheriff’s Office Director of Government Affairs
“I want to reassure our residents and our businesses that we are taking all precautionary steps at the local level as we learn more about the virus, the outbreak and the risks of transmission,” Coulter said.
“In these health matters it is wise to exercise an abundance of caution and have in place the organization to be fully prepared if and as necessary,” said Rep. Sander Levin.
Public Health Update
Oakland County Health Division is already working closely with healthcare providers, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to actively monitor the coronavirus outbreak. There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Oakland County.
The Health Division is involved in the following activities for COVID-19 prevention, education, and surveillance:
- Developing educational materials and information for prevention efforts, including ongoing updates to the Health Division website at www.oakgov.com/health.
- Providing information to community partners including schools, hospitals, clinicians, and businesses about what they can do to prevent the spread of illness and prepare for potential cases of COVID-19.
- Working collaboratively with MDHHS and other local health departments to ensure an ongoing exchange of information.
- Daily monitoring of travelers who meet CDC risk criteria and enhanced communicable disease surveillance protocols.
- Answering questions from the public via our Nurse on Call line at 1-800-848-5533 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or
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For more information about COVID-19, visit www.oakgov.com/health or call Nurse on Call at 800-848- 5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
In addition, the Department of Homeland Security is coordinating with all departments to take an inventory of all necessary supplies and equipment.
The Oakland County International Airport, Michigan’s second busiest airport located in Waterford, is also working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection who is screening all international travelers that land at the airport. In 2019, 760 international flights with 2,080 passengers landed at OCIA.
Prevention
Oakland County Health Division recommends the following prevention tips:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash, and then wash your hands.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoiding sharing cups, drinking bottles, utensils and eating food from the same dish.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
- Staying home when sick except to get medical care.
- Being prepared with the following supplies:
- Maintain a two-week supply of water and food at home, and routinely check your regular prescription drugs to ensure that you won’t run out.
- Keep non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand
- Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records
- Talk with family members about how they would be cared for if they got sick and what would be needed to care for them in your home.
Patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mid to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. According to CDC, symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If anyone believes they have symptoms and have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, or other destinations with risk of community spread, or have been in contact with someone who has had the virus, they should promptly call their healthcare provider or hospital prior to arriving so that the appropriate preventive measures can be put in place. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection.