Macomb County Health Department: Answer The Phone

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — The Macomb County Health Department is reaching out to residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus or who have had contact with people who have.

But as it turns out, many people will not answer if they don't recognize the phone number. As a result, the county health department is asking residents to keep their number in mind and pick up if they call.

“We have all been conditioned to avoid answering the phone if we do not recognize the number of the person calling, but during this time, a call from your local health department could be someone offering you important information regarding your health,” said William Ridella, director/health officer of the Macomb County Health Department. “We ask Macomb County residents to please answer these calls and return voicemails from the Health Department or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.”

The calls are part of the county health department's work to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and staff from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Macomb County Health Department are reaching out to Macomb County residents.

The calls are meant to check on health status, provide information about the coronavirus and actions people should be taking, help locate needed services and track the spread of the infection in the community.

Calls may be from an area code where residents typically do not receive calls from, including the 517 area code.

The health department said it is important for Macomb County residents to keep in mind that state officials recently issued a reminder to residents to be on alert for scammers spoofing numbers from local health departments. Spoofing allows it to appear as if the caller is dialing from a recognizable number to encourage you to pick up the phone.

The Macomb County Health Department and MDHHS will not offer medication for treatment or prevention of the coronavirus, ask for Medicaid or other insurance information for billing purposes or request personal financial information such as a social security number or driver’s license number, the agency said.

Questions that will be asked by the Macomb County Health Department include their current health status, symptoms they may be experiencing, individuals they have been in contact with, places they have been in recent days and other health-related questions.

If you are concerned about a call you received from any local health department or MDHHS, the agency asks you to contact the Macomb County Health Department Helpline at 586-463-3750.