Gov. Gretchen Whitmer confirmed two people in Michigan tested positive for coronavirus and has declared a state of emergency.
Whitmer announced the development during a press conference late Tuesday night in Lansing.
"We are taking every step we can to mitigate the virus spread and keep Michiganders safe,” Whitmer said. “I've signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in order to maximize our efforts and assist local governments and officials to slow the spread."
A middle aged woman in Oakland County and a middle aged man in Wayne County both tested positive for the virus, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state's chief medical executive and chief deputy for health.
Khaldun said the woman recently returned from an international trip and the man had recently traveled within the United States.
Both patients are hospitalized.
"It is very likely that we will see more cases and that there will be community spread," she said. "We need everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of the disease as much as possible."
Khaldun added that people should wash their hands with soap and water for twenty seconds every time, cover sneezes and coughs, santize frequently used surfaces often and stay home if ill. She adds employers, hospitals, schools and universities should be making plans to deal with the disease.
Khaldun says elderly residents or those with chronical medical conditions should consider postponing long travel, stay away from crowds and avoid long plane rides.
"This is a rapidly evolving situation," she says. "We will continue to do everything we can at the state level and working closely with our local and federal partners to protect Michiganders."
Khaldun says the CDC still has to confirm the test results from the state lab.
