One of the strangest symptoms of COVID is the loss of taste and smell. Some people have discovered that when their senses return they’ve been altered.

Oakland County is relocating its no-cost COVID-19 testing to new sites intended to provide shelter from incoming winter weather. Officials announced Friday that existing COVID-19 testing sites will move to new locations in Holly, Rochester, Southfield and Pontiac beginning Monday, Nov. 30. COVID-19 testing will be available by appointment only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the following new sites:Interested individuals should call 800-848-5533 to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing at one of the above sites. Oakland County COVID-19 testing is free to anyone over the age of 4 years old. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

Additional COVID-19 testing sites are opening in Wayne County in response to climbing coronavirus cases in the county and throughout Michigan. Wayne County officials announced Friday two new, cost-free COVID testing sites with reportedly shorter waiting times compared to other sites. Wayne County officials say additional COVID-19 testing sites are expected to open in the near future. Michigan is currently experiencing a spike in coronavirus spread, leading to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks. In state’s latest coronavirus update Wednesday, Michigan officials reported a total of 324,779 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,761 total deaths.

A new study out of the U.K. finds that loss of smell or taste is a “highly reliable” indicator that someone has contracted COVID-19. But after contracting COVID-19, Fletcher experienced difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and lost his sense of smell and taste. According to Justin Turner, a doctor and medical director of Vanderbilt University’s Smell and Taste Center, about 50%-70% of patients with COVID-19 will lose part or all of their sense of smell and/or taste. Turner says for up to 25% of COVID-19 patients, the loss of smell and taste could be the first -- and sometimes only -- sign of infection. The loss of smell and taste can linger for months following a COVID-19 infection; it’s often the last symptom to resolve.

Loss of smell, taste ‘reliable’ indicator of COVID-19 infection, study findsPublished: October 10, 2020, 6:53 pmA new study out of the U.K. finds that loss of smell or taste is a “highly reliable” indicator that someone has contracted COVID-19.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. – Two locations in Brighton and Fowlerville have been identified as potential coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure sites by the Livingston County Health Department. Two unrelated customers who tested positive for COVID-19 visited the Brighton restaurant on Sept. 18, according to the health department. One infected individual attended a rib dinner on Sept. 18, and the other attended a breakfast on Sept. 20 while symptomatic. COVID-19 symptoms can develop up to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

Linda Mcgrath said missing sense of smell nearly cost her her life after a gas leak sprung in her Livonia, Michigan, home, about five months after her coronavirus diagnosis. She reached out to us in response to an article we previously published about COVID-19-related smell loss. “I had a guardian angel a couple of weeks ago when I heard a hissing noise and realized I had a gas leak." When her son arrived, it was clear Mcgrath didn’t know the extent of the leak, because she never smelled a thing. A few days later, the woman said, a house nearby in Livonia blew up from a gas leak, confirming how dangerous Mcgrath’s situation could have been.

LANSING, Mich. Ingham County health officials are asking people who have recently traveled to states with a high-risk for coronavirus (COVID-19) spread to self-quarantine for 14 days. The recommendation comes as COVID-19 cases spike throughout Ingham County -- which officials say may be largely attributed to recent travel. Approximately one-third of positive cases in Ingham County have recent travel in their history, said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail. Ingham County health officials are urging people to use this data to influence their travel plans, avoiding regions that are high risk for COVID-19 spread. Recent travelers should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms, which can develop up to 14 days after exposure.

New studies claim COVID-19 doesn’t just damage the lungs, it can also impact the heart. Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City looked at health records from more than 100 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between March 26 and April 22. Based on this finding, doctors could use echocardiograms to help identify COVID-19 patients at the highest risk. Several studies have now looked at one of the stranger symptoms of COVID-19 -- the sudden loss of taste or smell. Most COVID-19 patients regain their sense of taste and smell on their own, but experts say those who don’t may benefit from available treatments.

New studies show how COVID-19 affects heart, lungs, tastePublished: May 20, 2020, 5:26 pmResearchers are constantly learning more about coronavirus and how it impacts the body.

LANSING, Mich. – People with mild coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are now able to get tested. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expanding testing criteria for coronavirus to include those with mild symptoms. MORE: What the CDC says you should do if you believe you have coronavirus (COVID-19)How COVID-19 SpreadsPerson-to-person spreadThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.