The City of Southfield's first priority is always the health, safety and welfare of our residents, businesses, visitors and employees. With the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oakland County, the City of Southfield remains committed to keeping our community safe and informed while working closely with local, county, state, and federal partners to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. Precautions today will help to prevent infections tomorrow.

The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet); and 
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

Take steps to protect yourself

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

• If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

• Diluting your household bleach.
  To make a bleach solution, mix:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water
    OR
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

  Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

• Alcohol solutions.
  Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.
• Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
  Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

City of Southfield Preventative Measures

The City of Southfield's first priority is always the health, safety and welfare of our residents, businesses, visitors and employees. With the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Oakland County, the City of Southfield remains committed to keeping our community safe and informed while working closely with local, county, state, and federal partners to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. Precautions today will help to prevent new infections tomorrow.

The City of Southfield is taking all possible precautionary steps to proactively prevent the further spread of COVID-19 coronavirus throughout the city and the Southfield Municipal Campus. City Administration has implemented an Infectious Disease Outbreak (or Potential Outbreak) and Extenuating Circumstances Policy which outlines all procedures and guidelines to help prevent and/or limit the transmission of communicable diseases in the workplace.

All City staff are being provided disinfectant products with instructions to clean city vehicles and work stations frequently including phones, computer keyboards, etc. Moreover, the City's Facilities Maintenance Department remains vigilant in the thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all city offices and facilities. Additionally, the City is relocating some front-line staff and limiting public interaction in an effort to maintain Social Distancing.

In the event of an outbreak or potential for an outbreak of an infectious disease or Infectious Disease Emergency (“IDE”), the City Administrator has declared a Health and Safety Workplace Cautionary Period. Department Heads and Elected Officials shall monitor and coordinate actions and implement measures which safeguard the safety of their employees and the public with whom they interact in the workplace; while maintaining City operations in an effective and efficient manner. Such measures may include, but are not limited to, designating certain positions as critical, essential, or non-essential/non-critical. During an IDE, City Departments may implement plans to adjust their operations to ensure adequate resources are available to provide critical processes. 

The City of Southfield will continue to closely monitor the situation to keep the community informed on the local level as more information becomes available. Please continue to visit the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfield.com for regular updates. Additional resources include the CDC's website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or the State of Michigan's coronavirus web page at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. 

For businesses, the Oakland County has created a COVID-19 Business Toolkit found at www.bit.ly/OCCoronavirusToolkit. If you need clarification if your business or your employees are essential please call the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity at (517) 512-4197.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also launched a statewide hotline to respond to health-related questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) that will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136.