COVID-19 Numbers Dip Slightly in Region

COVID-19 infection rates in the western Upper Peninsula remain among the highest in the state, although they are still far below where they were earlier this year.

Sixty-seven new cases were confirmed in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties in the past week. That’s 10 fewer than in the previous week. Baraga County, which had spiked to 30 cases two weeks ago, dropped back to nine new cases.

Statewide, the average number of daily diagnoses slipped slightly, from 2,323 to 2,226. That remains more than 300 percent above the statewide rate in late March, but still well below the rate earlier this year. The state recorded an average of 15 COVID-related deaths per day in the past week.

Officials caution that the actual infection rate could be considerably higher. Results of home tests are typically not reported. Mild cases may go undiagnosed, but even those not experiencing symptoms can still spread the virus to others.