ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — There are at least 80 people in the U.S. who have tested positive for coronavirus, but the scare is hitting close to home.
Chris Barnett, the supervisor of Orion Township, says he was recently asked to self quarantine after a recent trip to China.
Barnett was in China visiting his sister who has recently fallen ill, unrelated to the coronavirus. Since his visit to China, he has seen first-hand just how people are preparing for the worst.
When Barnett got back from China, the Oakland County Health Department asked if he would volunteer to go under self-quarantine.
"What you have to do is you have to call in every day and basically tell them what your temperature was the evening before and that morning," Barnett said. "And if you had any other symptoms, and if you did have symptoms, they were very explicitly clear: Don't go to walk-in clinics, call and we'll give you instructions as to where to go."
In the end, Barnett said he only reported ot the health department for a few days.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, they performed their first in-state coronavirus test on someone living in Oakland County. The test came back negative.
Barnett also experienced heightened security at the airport. He was screened and let go.
Barnett said the extra precautions make him feel safe amid growing concern.
"i think the message is if people are in that situation, is to just kind of do your best because ultimately, it is better for our whole region if we can stay in the clear."
