Baraga County Suffers First COVID-19-Related Death

From the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department:

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) has confirmed that aBaraga County resident has died of complications surrounding COVID-19.

The elderly person was aninpatient at an Upper Peninsula hospital at the time of their death.

To date, there have been 3 death srelated to the virus within the 5-county jurisdiction.

“Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the family and community who has lost their lovedone,” said Kate Beer, Health Officer at WUPHD. “This is a sad reminder of the danger that COVID-19continues to impose on our friends and families. We must be more vigilant in our prevention efforts,especially for the safety of our elderly and vulnerable populations.”

WUPHD reminds people to avoid close contact with people who are not part of your household as evenpeople with mild or no symptoms can spread the virus. Masking, washing hands, and maintaining a 6-foot distance are steps that you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

WUPHD is working to coordinate their response with federal, state, and local officials, as well as healthcare professionals, institutions, schools and community organizations. For more information, please contact the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department at (906) 482-7382. Updates are alsoavailable at www.wuphd.org.

There is a State informational hotline available from 8 AM EST to 5 PM EST seven days per week.That number is 1-888-535-6136. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the MDHHSwebsite (www.michigan.gov/coronavirus), or the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/).