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. 

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Updates from Western U.P. Health Department

• The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) is reporting that five area residents that tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered from the illness. Recovery status is defined as being alive 30 days after onset of the illness. 
  
  “We are encouraged to see the recovery of these individuals in Gogebic and Houghton counties, and are hopeful for the recovery of remaining cases in Gogebic and Baraga counties,” said Kate Beer, Health Officer for the WUPHD. “The continued efforts by local residents, healthcare providers, and businesses have made a great impact on the ability to mitigate the spread of disease within our communities.”
  
  WUPHD is also reporting that testing totals for the five-county area now exceed 1,000 persons. The supply chain for testing supplies has improved and additional testing sites have opened across the region. The capacity to test locally is one element that is considered to be a marker for a community’s readiness to move forward with reopening the economy.
  
  “Testing capacity has gradually increased across our counties,” said Beer, “The health department continues to work with community partners to expand testing opportunities. Current discussions at the state level suggest that we should be testing 1-to-2 percent of the population statewide in order to have a successful re-opening. We continue to look at what testing rates will be needed locally to ensure the protection of public health going forward.”
  
  WUPHD is currently working with the Michigan National Guard and the State Emergency Operations Center to test long-term care facilities and county jails. These testing numbers will be included in the health department totals once they become available. 

Updates from Ontonagon County

• Michigan National Guardsmen delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to Iron and Baraga County's medical care facilities from the Greenland EOC distribution hub. No deliveries received today. 

Updates from Aspirus

• COVID-19 serology testing capabilities - Aspirus is bringing serology (antibody) testing to the area. Aspirus is scheduled to begin providing COVID-19 antibody tests immediately. Testing is performed daily, and results are available within 24 hours of a sample arriving at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Lab. If you think you need a serology test, please contact your primary care provider. Read more about Serology Testing Capabilities at https://www.aspirus.org/press-room/aspirus-announces-covid19-serology-testing-capabil-3730.
   
• Free resources to help businesses safely reopen, operate - As Wisconsin and Michigan adapt to life during COVID-19 business owners, employees and customers are longing to return to business as usual. But government regulations, safety concerns, and shifting recommendations and guidelines can cause confusion and anxiety. That’s why Aspirus has introduced Work Well, a program to help businesses of all sizes rise above COVID-19. Work Well offers a robust and growing array of free resources, such as: webinars, workplace safety checklists, cleaning and disinfecting guidelines, customized poster and flyer templates, employee communication templates, and more. Read more about Work Well at https://www.aspirus.org/press-room/aspirus-offers-free-resources-to-help-businesses-s-3729.
   
• Don’t delay, seek care today - Aspirus, with support from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB), are supporting a statewide TV and social media campaign urging residents not to delay medical care needed to save lives, or detect, treat and prevent potentially serious health emergencies. The campaign is titled “Don’t delay, seek care today.” The 30-second TV spot funded and produced by the MHA will air on MAB member TV stations and in social media channels across Michigan for four-to-six weeks. Read more about this effort at https://www.aspirus.org/press-room/aspirus-broadcasters-urge-residents-dont-delay-see-3732. 

News Beat

• Air National Guard collects COVID-19 samples at GMCF, via Daily Globe
• MTU lays out plans for reopening campus, via Daily Mining Gazette
• Pizza from the Freemasons, via Daily Globe
• Free Virtual Parenting Class in the Copper Country, 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.