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Members of Bay Mills Indians in Michigan may have been exposed to coronavirus

Bay Mills News Facebook Page

Update 03/13/2020: Two employees of Bay Mills Indian Community have been cleared of coronavirus (the person they were exposed to has tested negative).

A northern Michigan tribe is stopping Boys & Girls Club activities while it waits to find out if two employees contracted novel coronavirus. 

Bay Mills Indian Community is located in Chippewa County, about 15 miles southwest of Sault Ste. Marie.

The tribe says two of its employees may have been exposed to coronavirus while on a trip to Washington D.C. Following that, the employees were in contact with members of the tribe’s Boys and Girls club.

The employees are distancing themselves from others until they can be tested. 

 

Bay Mills says social distancing will slow the spread of the virus and ensure that medical centers have the resources they need to treat their patients, especially tribal elders and members with compromised immune systems who are most at risk.

 

In a statement, Tribal Chairman Bryan Newland says so far there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus.

"Bay Mills is being proactive about possible cases of exposure, just like many other communities across the country," he says.

 

In the meantime, all the Boys & Girls Club activities for the week are canceled, until test results confirm whether the employees have the virus.

The tribe has canceled out-of-state business travel plans and is encouraging its employees to work from home.

State officials say people should contact their local health department if they experience symptoms or become exposed to someone with the virus.

 

Officials say practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, including:

 

  • Stay home if you are sick, and advise others to do the same.

  • Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).

Taylor Wizner covers heath, tourism and other news for Interlochen Public Radio.