The Lenawee County Health Department has issued an emergency order that further restricts outdoor gatherings for residents. The move comes after reports of increased cases at both Adrian College and Siena Heights University.
Outdoor social gatherings or events are now limited to no more than 25 people, according to the new order announced Thursday. The state mandated outdoor limit is 100. The indoor gathering limit remains at 10 or fewer people, which coincides with the state order.
The order applies to Adrian Township, Madison Township, the City Of Adrian, and other college owned and controlled properties in the county.
“There has been a large increase in cases since students returned to colleges and universities in Lenawee County. Adrian College has reported 152 COVID‐19 cases, with 138 of those cases being active cases. Siena Heights University has reported two positive cases; both active cases," said Martha Hall, R.S., M.P.H., Health Officer for the Lenawee County Health Department.
Lenawee County has reported a total of 613 confirmed cases of COVID‐19 as of Sept. 3, which is an increase of 34 from the day prior. Health officials say in August, there was a 182% increase in confirmed COVID‐19 cases among 18 to 24 year‐olds in the county; compared to a 51% increase among all age groups during the same time period.
"Large social gatherings have demonstrated an increased public health risk with potential for further disease transmission," Hall said. "Restrictions on the size of outdoor gatherings, along with other prevention strategies, will help reduce the spread of the virus in the
community.”
The new executive order for Lenawee County goes into effect Sept. 3 at noon, and will remain in effect until further notice.