Bay County Declares Local State Of Emergency In Response to Coronavirus
March 18, 2020 12:16AM EDT
Bay County Health Officer Joel Strasz stands at the podium to deliver an update on coronavirus. Standing behind Strasz in glasses are County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Duranczyk and County Executive Jim Barcia. Photo by WSGW’s John Hall for Alpha Media.
Bay County has declared a local state of emergency to open up more financing from federal and state sources to combat coronavirus.County Executive Jim Barcia said the declaration lasts seven days, but the County Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted to extend the measure until their next meeting, April 14.
Barcia and other county officials who said testing is being stepped up expect more positive test results. The one presumptive case reported so far involved a physician who works at Saginaw’s Covenant HealthCare.
Barcia advised everyone to practice social distancing and good hygiene, especially people over 60 with underlying health conditions, who are at greater risk.
