(WWJ) In Oakland County, there are signs that the coronavirus remains dangerous and deadly.
Marking a grim milestone Wednesday, officials say for the first time since the virus hit Michigan, the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office has been called in to help store ten bodies because a health care system reached its capacity for storage at its internal morgue.
Casimir Miarka, a spokesman for the ME's office, told WWJ Newradio 950's Ron Dewey that the county has heard from other hospitals who may need help as well, and they are now working on an emergency plan.
For starters, Miarka said, the office will provide a pair of refrigerated trailers if needed. "And then, as a last resort — hopefully the very last resort — we are in talks with some ice arenas to utilize an ice arena as a provisional morgue."
There, Miarka said, bodies could be stores until they can be laid to rest.
This comes as ice rinks and other sports and recreation venues remain closed statewide, under the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order.
How soon further action may be needed isn't yet known.
"Sometimes (hospitals) call and say they're getting close, then they call back and say, you know what, we're okay right now and the funeral homes were able to come and pick up the deceased, you know; arrangements were made." Miarka said. "So when they reach out to us, we can offer them assistance if it's needed."
He added that funeral homes in the county have also become overwhelmed by the surge in the number of bodies.
At last official count, Oakland County had 5,576 confirmed cases and 392 deaths linked to COVID-19.
Statewide, the latest numbers out from the Michigan Department of Health and Services Wednesday afternoon brought totals to 28,059 confirmed cases, and1,921 related deaths since the pandemic began.
