Michigan health officials contacting residents about contact COVID-19

DETROIT – Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Michigan and the state is trying to increase its contact tracking, but it is difficult to track when it cannot be contacted.

Michigan health officials are asking residents to pick up the phone as it could be information related to COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, local health departments and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) staff are communicating with positive Michiganders as well as contacts of those individuals.

These public health personnel are calling to verify health status, provide information about COVID-19 and what actions people should take, help locate needed services, and track the spread of infection in the community.

“We recognize that many people do not like to answer the phone if they do not recognize the number, but during this time this call could be someone offering important information about their health,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer and deputy chief of Health. “We ask Michiganders to answer these calls and send voice messages from local health departments or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.”

Calls can be from area codes where residents generally do not receive calls from, including area code 517. To keep each person’s information private and provide residents with the information they need, it is important for health department staff to speak directly with affected Michigan residents.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently issued a reminder to residents to be alert to scammers who falsify numbers from local health departments. Phishing allows you to appear as if the caller is dialing from a recognizable number to encourage you to pick up the phone. MDHHS wants residents to know how to determine a fraudulent call from a legitimate call from the health department.

Local health departments and MDHHS do not:

• Offer medications for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
• Request Medicaid or other insurance information for billing purposes.
• Request personal financial information, such as a social security number or a driver’s license number.

Legitimate questions to ask include current health status, symptoms you may be experiencing, people you have been in contact with, places you have been in the past few days, and other health related questions.

If you are concerned about a call you received from a local health department or MDHHS, please contact the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136. This line is available seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm