Pontiac, Michigan –Oakland County Health Division, Livingston County Health Department and Genesee County Health Department report a steep increase in COVID-19 cases in the South Lyon and Fenton areas since mid-July among individuals 15 – 19 years-old. Some of the cases reported attending large indoor and outdoor gatherings, including graduation parties and prom like events, during July.

“We need parents and young people in our community to recognize the risk they take to their own health and that of their family and friends when attending gatherings without taking precautions,” Leigh-Anne Stafford, Health Officer, Oakland County Health Division said. “We can work together across our communities to contain the spread and I urge parents to be aware of activities your kids attend.”

“When attending both indoor and outdoor gatherings, it is important to stay six feet from others and wear a mask,” Dianne McCormick, Health Officer, Livingston County health Department said. “Socializing responsibly could help quickly turn things around.”

“When individuals cooperate with Health Departments to complete contract tracing and case investigations, it goes a long way to stopping the spread of COVID-19,”John McKellar, Health Officer, Genesee County health Department said. “No one wants to be the one who spreads COVID-19 to someone who becomes very ill or dies.”

Preliminary information indicates a significant increase in cases among high school age students and those numbers could change as case investigation continues in the three counties. In Oakland County, COVID-19 cases among 15 – 19-year-olds in the South Lyon area increased from three cases during late-June to mid-July to 42 from mid-July to early August. Similar trends for this age group have been observed Countywide in Livingston and Genesee counties. For Livingston County, cases increased from three cases during late-June to mid-July to 19 from mid-July to early August and in Genesee County, cases increased from 19 during late-June to mid-July to 94 from mid-July to early August.

The three health departments are conducting case investigations to identify individuals who have potentially been exposed. Initial information has determined that 15 – 19-year-olds from Oakland Livingston and Genesee attended at least six large gatherings.

If you attended a large gathering in the South Lyon and/or Fenton area during mid to late July and you think you are developing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 described below, call your physician or local health department. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you are considering attending an indoor or outdoor event, take precautions by:

• Maintaining six feet social distance from those outside your household
• Wearing a face covering when you cannot stay six feet from others
• Washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Staying home when sick

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced with cloth face coverings, social distancing, and staying home when sick except to get medical care.

For more information on COVID-19, for Oakland County visit www.oakgov.com/covid. Contact Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with health-related questions. For all other COVID-19 questions, contact the COVID-19 Help Hotline at 248-858-1000 or [email protected]. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter. For Livingston County, call 517-546-9850, email: [email protected] or visit https://www.livgov.com/health/ph/Pages/COVID19.aspx. For Genesee County call 810-424-4443 or visit www.gchd.us.

Media Contacts:
Oakland County: Bill Mullan, Oakland County Media and Communications Officer, 248-858-1048

Livingston County: Natasha Radke, Public Information Officer, 517-546-9850

Genesee County: Suzanne Cupal, Public Information Officer, 810-768-7970