UNIVERSITY CENTER – In Bay County’s continued fight against the coronavirus pandemic, public health director Joel Strasz wants to remind the community to be wary of myths surrounding COVID-19.
In a press briefing, Strasz shared information on two myths that have gone around on social media:
- Myth: there are vaccines and treatments available for COVID-19
- Fact: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any such vaccines or treatments for COVID-19.
- Myth: COVID-19 test kits can be purchased online
- Fact: You have to be approved by your healthcare provider to be tested for COVID-19. The FDA has not approved any at-home testing kits at this time.
Strasz also warns Bay County citizens to be suspicious of fraudulent medications and testimonials from coronavirus patients, pointing out that they are not a substitute for scientific evidence. On top of everything else, he advises that anything which seems too good to be true probably is.
“We want people to be suspicious of products that […] offer to test you for coronavirus or treat you for a wide variety of diseases, specifically coronavirus,” says Strasz.
As of Tuesday, March 31, Bay County has nine confirmed cases of COVID-19, with at least two patients hospitalized and one patient who has recovered. 130 tests came back negative while 43 are still pending.
According to Strasz, a public health order was issued today, directing the reporting of donation and distribution of personal protection equipment to the Bay County emergency manager.
For the foreseeable future, the county will continue to coordinate health surveillance for essential medical workers, first responders and public works employees, including police officers. This is partly in light of two Saginaw police officers that have recently tested positive for COVID-19.
As resources become available, Bay County will also continue an expansion of testing.
For more information on the evolving pandemic, residents can visit Bay County’s coronavirus webpage.
