News File Photo Nurse Janae MacArthur sanitizes a surface at the intensive care nursing station at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena in this 2020 news photo.

ALPENA — Although there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Alpena area, local governments and other groups took action on Friday to help prevent the spread of the virus, including canceling several events across the region.

MidMichigan Health, owner of Alpena’s hospital, said it has initiated its emergency preparedness protocol and will erect cornavirus testing tents outside of all of its emergency rooms, including the one in Alpena. The decision was made “out of an abundance of caution and due to the increase in volume of community members seeking COVID-19 testing and direction,” the hospital group said in a news release.

“These measures have been put in place to help distance those with a concern about COVID-19 exposure from the rest of our patient population and our staff, health care providers and volunteers,” Dr. Lydia Watson, senior vice president and chief medical officer at MidMichigan Health, said in a statement.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 schools closed until April 5.

Mirroring similar decisions across the state and country, Alpena Community College canceled classes for Monday and Tuesday. The Alpena Senior Citizens Center canceled all on-site programs, though Meals on Wheels and in-home services will continue. The Alpena County Library canceled programs and said it will remove children’s toys. The state high school athletic association canceled postseason matchups. Concerts and other events were scrapped.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz From left to right, Alpena Police Department Lt. Eric Hamp, Fire Chief Bill Forbush, and Mayor Matt Waligora speak at a press conference at City Hall about steps that are being taken to confront the coronavirus should it appear in Alpena. Forbush said there are no known cases of the illness in the area, but it is better to be prepared than be caught off-guard.

Around the city on Thursday, shelves in most major retailers were mostly depleted of toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and similar products. Most shoppers marveled at the craziness unfurled by the virus and were apprehensive about the unknown. Local housecleaning company Your Girl Friday said it has seen an uptick in requests for its services.

At a press conference on Thursday, Fire Chief Bill Forbush stressed how it is important for the city and other local governments to be ready for any cases that may arrive, and that precautions and simple hygiene actions can reduce the likelihood of someone becoming infected.

Forbush said people should stay away from large crowds and, if you feel you may have coronavirus, to reach out to health officials before visiting a clinic or hospital so proper preventative measures can be taken.

Forbush said it is likely that the impact of the virus will be limited.

“Everybody isn’t going to die or get sick, but we want to make sure we don’t even have one person die,” Forbush said.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The coronavirus testing tent is seen outside the MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena hospital on Thursday night. The Midland-based MidMichigan Health ordered such tents set up outside all of its hospitals' emergency rooms.

Forbush said he has been in contact with Alpena County’s emergency services coordinator and other partners, such as the public schools, community college, hospital, and care homes.

“We are working with all of the key stakeholders to be sure they have all of the information and assistance they need,” he said.

Forbush said local firefighters, paramedics, and police have the appropriate personal protective equipment and training will be ongoing through the pandemic.

VIDEO: District Health Department No. 4 talks about the coronavirus

Outside of Alpena, Presque Isle County Emergency Coordinator Sarah Melching on Thursday told the county Board of Commissioners she is following the developing situation very closely.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Nurse Chris Nielsen applies hand sanitizer at the intensive care nursing station at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena on Thursday.

Melching said the state will notify her of any potential cases or if any confirmed cases of coronavirus are diagnosed in the county. She said the tests for the coronavirus are not as readily available as the tests for the flu.

“We don’t have tests like that readily available, and, so if you don’t meet the criteria that comes down from the state, they don’t test you,” she said. “The criteria is fairly limited — its regarding travel and some symptoms — and if you don’t meet those, they don’t test. So it’s a very small population right now they’re testing.”

President Donald Trump on Wednesday suspended travel to the U.S. from Europe. There are no domestic travel advisories or warnings. Some airports are taking steps to help make sure people who are infected with coronavirus aren’t getting on flights and spreading the illness.

Alpena County Regional Airport Manager Steve Smigelski said he hasn’t noticed a decline in the number of people coming and going from Alpena, which has posted consistently high numbers of passengers for several months. He said the airport is cleaned frequently and he is monitoring the situation.

“It is always possible we see a decline in passengers, but it is also possible that this is like the flu and when it warms up it stops being so communicable,” he said. “The TSA is sanitizing the tubs people put their personal items in, we have extra hand sanitizer out, and, if the FAA issues any mandates, we will follow them right away.”

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Presque Isle County Emergency Coordinator Sarah Melching updates the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners about the coronavirus on Thursday.

Even though there have been no cases announced in Alpena, there have been some events that have been canceled. The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and Alpena Community College canceled the Good Morning Alpena Breakfast for this morning, and ACC announced there would be no class Monday and Tuesday so college leaders can meet to discuss the issue. The college updates the ACC COVID-19 website each day by 2 p.m. with the latest information for the public.

State Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, also announced Thursday she is canceling all of her scheduled office hours in the 106th state House District, through the remainder of the month.

All of the local boys high school basketball playoff games have been suspended by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and no details have been released on when — or if — the games will be made up. Posen, Onaway, Rogers City, Oscoda, and Mio had planned to play postseason games on Friday.

News staff writers Meakalia Previch-Liu, Julie Riddle, and Crystal Nelson, and News Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley contributed to this report. Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.

CANCELLATIONS FROM CORONAVIRUS

Northeast Michigan closures and cancellations announced Thursday over concerns related to the coronavirus.

∫ Canceled: Good Morning Alpena breakfast planned for today

∫ Canceled: All high school postseason games, including Friday’s district boys basketball games at Johannesburg-Lewiston, Hale, and Onaway high schools

∫ Postponed: The Northern Michigan Brass Band concert planned for Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church; the concert will be rescheduled to a later date, which is yet to be determined.

∫ Canceled: Alpena Community College classes for Monday and Tuesday

∫ Canceled: all on-site activities at the Alpena Senior Citizens Center; Meals On Wheels and in-home services will continue as usual

∫ Suspended through March: All Alpena County Library programming and group use of meeting rooms

∫ Canceled: Comedy show and Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute concert planned for the APlex this weekend

∫ Suspended: Alpena Sports Boosters’ Saturday bingo games are suspended indefinitely