The Allegan County Health Department Saturday afternoon reported  the first positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Allegan County.

The resident is an 85-year-old who is currently hospitalized.

A Health Department spokesperson said, “We were notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this afternoon about the collection, testing and results. This individual was tested yesterday. We are actively investigating any close contacts and we are contacting them to put them on home quarantine.”

“With this positive, we know that COVID-19 is in our community,” said Allegan County Health Officer Angelique Joynes. “The community has done a great job of applying social distancing and personal hygiene habits. Please continue to be diligent so we can slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The Health Department is not naming public low-risk exposure locations. Residents should behave as though the virus may be present when they are in public places in the community. ACHD reinforces that people should be taking all recommended prevention measures.

It has been reported that 30 tests have been conducted for the virus in the county, with 13 returned as negative and 14 still pending.

A televised press briefing was held Saturday afternoon in Allegan. Representatives included Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Storey, Health Officer Angelique Joynes, MPH, RN, Sheriff Frank Baker, Emergency Manager Scott Corbin, Fire Chief Greg Janik, and Allegan Area Educational Services Agency Superintendent William Brown.

Joynes said at the briefing that everyone should behave as though COVID-19 is present everywhere.

Updates will be posted as more information becomes available. Visit www.allegancounty.org/health. A local COVID19 informational hotline is also available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at (269) 686-4546.