In collaboration with the Western U.P. Health Department and Emergency Operation Centers in Baraga County, Gogebic County, Houghton County, Keweenaw County and Ontonagon County, Copper Country Strong Daily Briefs will be shared each weekday through the duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

You can receive an email alert when a new briefing is posted. Subscribe here. 

Updates from Western U.P. Health Department

• The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) reports that the state COVID-19 reporting website is incorrectly reporting a positive in Baraga County. The state is aware of the error and the count should be updated in the next few days.
• A local COVID-19 informational call line is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST at (906) 487-5545. There is a State informational hotline available from 8 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST seven days per week. That number is 1-888-535-6136. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the MDHHS website, or the CDC website.

Updates from Houghton & Keweenaw Counties

• Starting this week, Michigan Technological University will begin testing patient samples for COVID-19, working alongside regional health care providers. Michigan Tech has partnered with local hospitals to begin receiving and testing patient samples on campus to save doctors and health care providers at least 24 hours, and up to a week, of waiting for COVID-19 test results. The lab has the capacity to run 40 samples per hour on two machines, and the team has plans to expand with more equipment and staffing. Learn more at mtu.edu. 
• The Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners extended their Local Emergency Declaration for an additional 28 days at their regular meeting Wednesday April 15, 2020. Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Van Arsdale gave the board an update on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Keweenaw County currently has no confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, but Van Arsdale stressed the importance of the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive order and social distancing to slow the spread of the virus that has had a tremendous impact on the state and region.

Updates from Ontonagon County

• By visiting the Ontonagon County page on the Copper Country Strong website, you can download a complete list of what is open in Ontonagon county. 
• Ontonagon County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received a shipment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from Region 8 Health Care Coalition. These are designated for delivery to health care facilities throughout Ontonagon County. They will be distributed over the next 48 hours.  
• Ontonagon Area and Ewen-Trout Creek K-12 schools have WiFi access available for students in the parking lots of each school. WiFi will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at both schools. For OAHS, please park close to the building to the north (right) of door #4. For Ewen-Trout Creek, please park in the north parking lot closest to the school.  GOISD has WIFI access in the parking lots of the Bergland and Ewen offices for students. Park near the building for best reception. 

News Beat

• Made to fit: Aspirus initiates program to help protect police, via Daily Mining Gazette
• Ironwood Township board approves COVID-19 resolution, via Ironwood Daily Globe
• Upper Great Lakes Family Health offering remote appointments during pandemic, via TV6
• Wisconsin governor extends Safer at Home order until May 26, schools remain closed rest of the year, via CBS 3
• Houghton Memorial Airport Receives Funding Through CARES Act, via Keweenaw Report
• Bridgefest canceled for this summer in Houghton, Hancock, via TV6
• Houghton Road Commission halts projects and seeks funds, via CBS 3
• Houghton County hears COVID-19 update, via Daily Mining Gazette

If you have an update you would like included in this daily brief, please contact the appropriate county or the health department. Contact information can be found at coppercountrystrong.com/contact. 

An archive of updates can be found at coppercountrystrong.com. The community is invited to view that site and subscribe for email alerts when a new brief is posted. Links will also be shared on the Copper Country Strong Facebook and Twitter pages.