News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Save-a-Lot employee organizes inventory at work on Thursday in downtown Alpena while wearing a face mask. More and more people are taking the advice of health officials to wear masks while out in public.

ONAWAY — A second case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has been confirmed in Presque Isle County, District Health Department No. 4 reported on Thursday.

The patient is the husband of an Onaway woman who tested positive earlier this week, The News confirmed.

Bill Bowman, who is retired, was transported by ambulance to McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey on Tuesday, where he was tested for the virus. The positive result came back Thursday.

He is still receiving treatment at the hospital.

There remained zero confirmed cases in Alpena, Montmorency, or Alcona counties, local health departments said. The second confirmed case in Presque Isle County was not reported by the state on Thursday. Statewide, more than 21,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths have been reported. The overwhelming majority of cases are in Southeast Michigan.

Both Bill Bowman and his wife, Glenda, a paramedic who works in Otsego county, have been in self-quarantine since before Glenda Bowman became ill.

The positive test comes as local emergency and health leaders continue to prepare to respond to a rash of cases, including working to obtain personal protection equipment for health care workers and first responders, opening up additional space at the hospital, and reaffirming to the public that social distancing is working so residents will continue practicing it.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday extended through April 30 her order that Michiganders stay home unless absolutely necessary and all but the most critical businesses stay closed.

Thus far, people in the area have done a good job staying home and away form others, although some could take the social distancing effort more seriously, Alpena County Emergency Coordinator Mark Hall said.

Doing so would help ensure emergency infrastructure doesn’t become overwhelmed, Hall said. It is likely there will be cases in Alpena County, Hall said, but, the fewer there are, the less strain there will be on intensive care facilities — and the fewer fatalities.

“If we can get through this without someone being on a ventilator or dying, that would be a win, right?” Hall said. “Our main goal is to try to prevent community spread, which will put a strain on our health system and all of the other community functions. The majority of people have been compliant, but then there are others who are trying to find ways around it. Overall, though, people are doing a good job and taking this serious.”

EQUIPMENT

One area of concern is the amount of personal protection equipment on-hand throughout the medical system in the area.

Hall said places like MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena and other facilities are taking steps to make their inventory of masks, gloves, and gowns last as long as possible. Doing so now will help ensure there are reasonable amounts on-hand when cases begin flowing in.

Hall said the lack of supplies is a concern, but the area has already received one shipment from the national strategic stockpile. Although the shipment wasn’t as large as hoped, it will be put to good use, Hall said.

Equipment allocations from the state and federal governments often depend on need, and, because there are few cases in Northeast Michigan, much of the supply is forwarded elsewhere. Hall said regional emergency and health care officials are all-hands-on-deck trying to obtain more equipment for those who depend on it the most.

“Things are starting to trickle in, and we are trying our best to keep our supply numbers up,” Hall said. “The hospital and others are doing their best to manage their burn rate of the equipment. Our team is out there turning over and looking under every rock out there to find PPE so we’re ready if we have a surge of cases.”

Several individuals and organizations have stepped up to sew cloth masks and use 3D printers to make face shields for health care workers.

TESTING LIMITED

Testing for COVID-19 in Northeast Michigan has been limited.

As of Thursday, 141 tests have been administered across Alpena, Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alcona counties, local health departments say.

To get a test, someone must meet the state’s criteria for one and receive a prescription from a doctor, Hall said. Those exhibiting many or all of the symptoms of COVID-19 — including fever, shortness of breath, coughing, and diarrhea — could be tested, as could someone who may have been in contact with an infected person.

Until more testing is done, Hall said, most people who exhibit symptoms will likely be told to go home, self-monitor, and go to the hospital if breathing becomes difficult.

“The bottom line, at least for now, is, if you don’t meet the state’s requirements for a test, you’re probably going to be sent home and, hopefully, you’ll get better,” he said. “That is how this works right now.”

State data suggests this area might not need tests as much as other areas, because the virus may not be as widespread.

Michigan’s 17-county Region 7 Healthcare Coalition, which includes Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties, as well as cities like Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City, and Cheboygan, reported a total of 978 tests given, with only 93 — or less than 10% — coming back positive as of Tuesday, according to state data.

By caparison, nearly 50% of people tested in Region 2 South, which includes the Detroit and Wayne and Oakland counties were confirmed to have the disease.

On average across Region 7, 42 tests have been given each day, with 83 tests given Sunday, more than any day since tracking began on March 16. Twenty-eight tests were given Tuesday, and one person tested positive in that region.

Meanwhile, the push-and-pull between restrictions meant to prevent the virus’ spread and the economy being clobbered by those restrictions continued to roil officials.

In addition to extending her stay-at-home order on Thursday, Whitmer expanded it, ordering supermarkets to cordon off areas of their stores where non-essential items are sold. While some, such as the Michigan Small Business Alliance, praised Whitmer’s Thursday announcement, others slammed her.

“We shouldn’t be focusing so much on what is considered ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential,'” state Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, who represents Alpena, said in a statement. “Instead, we should focus on what behaviors are safe or not safe, because, at the end of the day, every job is essential when it’s paying for groceries, rent, mortgage payments and other family essentials.”

Hall said it is important for people to not take their foot off the pedal and continue to stay at home and practice good hygiene and not be lulled by some of the good news about a drop in new cases.

“We aren’t seeing a huge number of people coming into our emergency room, and there is nobody on a ventilator, so that’s a good thing,” Hall said Thursday. “Do I believe the virus is already here? Yes, I’m positive of that. That is why it is so important to stay at home and listen to what the health experts are telling us.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.