COLDWATER, MI. – (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency reported three positive COVID-19 cases in Branch County Sunday, which brings the total number of cases in the county up to 13.
In addition, five more cases were reported at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater which brought the total number of cases at the prison to 30.
The Michigan Department of Corrections reported a total of 227 positive COVID-19 cases at nine facilities.
The MDOC also reported its first prisoner death. He was housed at Parnall Correctional Facility near Jackson where 98 cases have been reported, the most of any Michigan prison. Officials say this prisoner had not previously been tested and had never told healthcare that he was feeling sick. He was found unresponsive in his cell and was taken to the hospital, where he died. The hospital then tested him and the results came back positive for the virus.
The number of positive cases as of 3:00 p.m. Sunday includes 10 cases in St. Joseph County, 43 cases in Hillsdale County and 41 cases in Calhoun County.
The CHA says there have been four local deaths with three in Hillsdale County and the other in Branch County.
Agency officials are asking anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days to avoid potentially exposing others. Individuals who have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor themselves for fever, cough, and shortness of breath. 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 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported on Sunday 1,493 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 75 deaths. The total number of cases in the state is now up to 15,718. The virus has now claimed the lives of 617 Michigan residents.
