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State health department urges COVID caution after Thanksgiving travel

Wayne County Airport Authority/Vito Palmisano

Traditionally, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the biggest travel day of the year.
 
State health department officials are urging Michiganders who attended large Thanksgiving gatherings to follow a few steps toavoidpotentially spreading COVID-19.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says they should wear masks and limit their exposure to other people for 14 days, particularly those who are immune-compromised.

State health officials say they should be in touch with others who attended the same large Thanksgiving gatherings and if someone who attended develops symptoms, immediately quarantine and get tested for COVID-19 themselves.

The nation's top infectious disease expert says that the U.S. may see a "surge upon a surge" of the coronavirus over the coming weeks, and he does not expect current recommendations around social distancing to be relaxed next month.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.  He appeared Sunday on ABC's "This Week" and NBC's "Meet the Press."

He says it's "not too late" for people traveling back home after the Thanksgiving holiday to help stop the spread of the virus by wearing masks, staying distant from other people and avoiding large groups.

Michigan’s COVID-19 caseload has been rising for the past several weeks.

As of Saturday, the state of Michigan has recorded 350,021 confirmed COVID-19 cases.  Since the pandemic began in March, 9,036 Michiganders have died for the coronavirus.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
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