Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

covid-19-summary

We are continuing to monitor news sources and agency updates from the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the MI Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Oakland County Health Department for the latest info and guidance regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Resources related and latest information on COVID-19: 

Hotlines and Support Information Related to COVID-19:

STATE OF MICHIGAN INFORMATION:
 

OAKLAND COUNTY INFORMATION:

CITY OF BERKLEY & LOCAL INFORMATION:

  • The City is conducting Wellness Checks for seniors and at-risk residents. To be added to the call list, contact Bridget Dean at 248-930-0544 OR Theresa McArleton at 248-672-0295 
  • Common Ground: 800-231-1127
  • Haven: 248-334-1274, TTY: 248-972-2540

Combatting Fraud:
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission is remaining vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis.

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of:
  • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures or tests for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
  • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
  • Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov.

Learn more about what the Department of Justice is doing

Learn more about what the Federal Trade Commission is doing

The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has provided an overview of coronavirus disinformation and steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of sharing inaccurate information with your friends and family. 
Learn more at CISA.gov.

Viruses Don’t Discriminate and Neither Should We 
Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease, are stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things. You can reduce stigma if you:

  • Rely on and share trusted sources of information
  • Speak up if you hear, see or read misinformation
  • Show support for impacted individuals and communities
Learn more about social stigma and how to reduce it from the CDC

About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that has now spread to the United States. It is mild for most people but can cause severe illness and result in death for some. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, have the greatest risk of becoming severely ill. There is no vaccine and no medications approved to treat COVID-19 at this time.


How it Spreads
COVID-19 spreads from person to person, mainly through coughs and sneezes of infected people or between people who are in close contact.

How the City of Berkley is Responding
We activated our Emergency Operations Center which is in accordance with the Oakland County Health Department in order to coordinate response and prepare for a potential outbreak. Our Emergency Operations staff have been and continue to work closely with Oakland County Health Department and Oakland County Homeland Security, the state, and federal officials to protect our community as we respond to this developing situation.

This is a new disease, and scientists are learning more about it daily. Recommendations may change rapidly. Stay up to date with City messages by signing up for our community news email list

COVID Leadership Framework

How to Protect Yourself and Others:

The most important thing you can do is to practice everyday healthy behaviors that prevent the spread of germs.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Don't touch your face with unwashed hands.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. Look for one with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Practice social distancing

These actions don't just protect you. They help keep our whole community safe, especially our most vulnerable residents, by slowing the spread of the disease.

Click here to learn how Oakland County has prepared and created educational information for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention efforts.

Click here for resources on how to plan, prepare, and respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Information provided by the CDC. 

Masks Are Recommended
In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. The cloth face coverings recommended are NOT surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that MUST continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Check out this video on "How to Make Your own Face Covering" by Dr. Jerome Adams, US Surgeon General. 


Travel advisories
Several countries are experiencing rapid community spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to these countries. If you have trips planned, check the latest CDC travel guidelines.


What to Do If You're Sick:
When you're sick, stay home! Don't spread infections to others. When you're sick with any respiratory illness:

  • Stay home. Don't go to school or work.
  • Minimize contact with others in your household.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow rather than your hand.
  • Wash or sanitize hands immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, phones, and faucets.
Symptoms of COVID-19
If you suspect you are infected with COVID-19, call ahead before visiting ANY medical facility so they can prepare. Do not go to an emergency room with mild symptoms. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
Call your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms and have: 
  • been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or
  • recently traveled from an area with ongoing community spread
Check out the CDC Fact Sheet with more information about what to do if you are sick with COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID - 19) Quick Facts:
CDC Fact Sheet (English)
CDC Fact Sheet (Spanish)


Updates from the City/County/State:

City of Berkley COVID-19  Update - March 23, 2020

Mayor Daniel Terbrack Declares Local State of Emergency for the City of Berkley - March 17, 2020

City of Berkley COVID-19 Mitigation & Preparedness Strategy Update - March 16, 2020

COVID-19 Mitigation & Preparedness Strategy Notice - March 13, 2020 - 2:17 PM

City of Berkley COVID-19 Mitigation & Preparedness Strategy Notice - March 13, 2020

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