Ten days ago, Christian music artist Sandi Patty performed a live concert on the stage at the Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews University. Last night, she announced to the world on Facebook that she has tested positive for COVID-19. 
Andrews University has shared the news on their own Facebook page as follows:
We have been contacted by Andrews University colleagues and community members regarding Christian musician’s Sandi Patty’s Facebook announcement last evening that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandi performed a concert on March 8 at our Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews University.
With this information, we are actively working with the appropriate Berrien County health officials to immediately understand and effectively respond to the implications of this report.
Further information will follow shortly on what you should do if you are concerned about close contact with Sandi during this event.
Here is what Patty herself had to say in her post last evening on Facebook:
“Friends – Today I received confirmation that I tested positive for COVID19. I am at home and Don and I are under quarantine for the next 14 days. I’m so impressed with how our Health Department handled my case and grateful for their attentiveness. They are working so hard right now to keep us all safe. WE MUST DO OUR PART. This is not fake news. If you are not already practicing social distancing and STAYING HOME, DO SO NOW! This is what we can all do. This is how we stop the spread. God has given us faith, but he’s also given us wisdom. He has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and of a sound mind. I will keep you posted as I can. (Oh! And cough in your elbow, not your hand.)”
This afternoon, the Berrien County Health Department has issued a statement regarding the Sandi Patty case. Here is their information:
The Berrien County Health Department is aware of a potential exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at a recent concert at Andrews University, located in Berrien Springs. The concert artist, singer Sandi Patty, announced on her Facebook page on Tuesday, March 17th that she had tested positive for COVID-19. She performed a concert at Andrews University Howard Performing Arts Center on the evening of March 8th and hosted several individuals for a special in-person experience after the concert.
The Berrien County Health Department is collaborating with Andrews University and Spectrum Health Lakeland to ensure that individuals who had close personal contact with Ms. Patty who have been experiencing symptoms are tested for COVID-19. Test results have been sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories and are pending at this time.
All concert attendees that had close personal contact with Ms. Patty at any time during her visit on Andrews University’s campus are being asked to self-quarantine at home and monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath through March 22nd. Those who are self-quarantining as a result of having close contact with Ms. Patty should contact the Berrien County Health Department hotline at 1-800-815-5485 if symptoms begin. The Berrien County Health Department has further explanations of self-quarantine and self-monitoring on their website.
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, as much as possible.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
The latest information about COVID-19 can be found at www.bchdmi.org or by following the Berrien County Health Department on social media.
