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UPDATE: On Sunday afternoon, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department also reported that the state COVID-19 website was incorrectly reporting a presumed positive in Ontonagon County. The case appears to be a person tested by a facility in Southeast Michigan. The health department is working with the state lab to verify this person’s correct address of record.
The Michigan State Government website that is tracking COVID-19 infections has incorrectly reported that a second diagnosis has been confirmed in Houghton County.
Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Health Officer Kate Beer confirmed the mistake Saturday evening. She says the state has been made aware of the error, and that the website should be corrected by Monday.
To date, one case of COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in Houghton County, with no confirmed disgnoses in Keweenaw, Baraga or Ontonagon Counties. Marquette County reported its first fatality related to the pandemic Friday. An earlier death took place in Gogebic County. Both victims were elderly men who had underlying health conditions.
Here is the latest summary of COVID-19 testing results, as provided Saturday evening by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department:
The Health Department continues to recommend that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate for 14 days to avoid potentially
exposing others. The symptoms of COVID-19 do not include runny nose and sneezing.
Instead, COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus.
If you feel well, you do not need to be tested. If you do become ill, call your doctor before going in to the office. Testing will be determined based on a risk assessment.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should:
• Stay home if they are sick
• Wash their hands frequently
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces
• Avoid touching your face; avoid shaking hands
• Follow suggested guidelines for social distancing
For more information, contact the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department at 482-7382. Updates are also available here.
A local COVID-19 informational call line is available Monday through Friday, from 8 am EST to 4 am EST at (906) 487-5545. There is a State informational hotline available from 8 am EST to 5 am EST seven days per week, at 1-888-535-6136. Additional information on COVID-19 can
be found on the MDHHS website, or the CDC website.
