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 Briefs will be shared regularly through the duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, they are released on Mondays and Thursdays. 

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UPDATES FROM WESTERN U.P. HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Free COVID-19 Testing Available Saturday in Houghton  

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) announces that it has partnered with the Michigan National Guard (MING) to provide a free community wide COVID-19 test site. The drive-thru event will be held this Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 9 am to 2 pm, at the Gates Tennis Center parking lot, located at 600 MacInnes Drive, Houghton, near the Student Development Complex on Michigan Tech’s campus. 
 
Houghton County has experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 related cases over recent weeks. The free testing event will allow local public health and healthcare providers identify and halt the spread of the virus in our community.  
 
Contributing to this effort is Aspirus, Gogebic Community College, Finlandia University, Michigan Technological University, Portage Health Foundation, and Upper Great Lakes Family Health Centers, and U P Health system, who are assisting with staff and supplies needed to carry out the event. 
 
“This will be a great opportunity for the entire community to access testing at no charge,” said Kate Beer. “We have been very fortunate to be able to work with these partners to bring this event to our area.”  
 
Pre-registration is not required, and participants do not need insurance, a prescription or a doctor’s order to be tested. Participants are encouraged to wear a mask and bring a driver’s license or other photo ID. 

Below are number updates since the last reported numbers on Thursday, September 17. 

Updated Numbers

• TOTAL: 93 more positives, 35 less probable positives, 21 more recoveries, three more deaths
• BARAGA COUNTY: Five more positives, two less probable positives, one death
• GOGEBIC COUNTY: Eight more positives, one less probable positives, one more recovery
• HOUGHTON COUNTY: 76 more positives, 30 less probable positives, 19 more recoveries, two deaths
• KEWEENAW COUNTY: three more positives, two less probable positive, one more recovery
• ONTONAGON COUNTY: One more positive

RESOLUTION FROM HOUGHTON COUNTY

• Resolution for the Promotion of COVID-19 Safety Measures at a meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners

  WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Houghton County, Michigan, does hereby find as follows:

  WHEREAS, the County of Houghton has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the preceding two weeks, with an infectivity rate nearly 50%-100% HIGHER than Wayne County, Kent County, or Oakland County at the PEAK of their respective outbreaks; 

  WHEREAS, the simple, cheap, and effective methods to slow the spread of COVID-19 are readily known and available, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing, and limiting gathering sizes indoors and outdoors;

  WHEREAS, some members of the Community have practiced good prevention methods, while a small minority of people continue to refuse, despite the risk to themselves and others;

  WHEREAS, efforts to trace the contacts of people who have tested POSITIVE for COVID-19 are being hampered by some Residents’ refusals to disclose who they may have spread the virus to, causing FURTHER SPREAD of the virus;

  WHEREAS, the impact to the local economy due to COVID-19 so far will PALE IN COMPARISON to a second wave of shutdowns by the State of Michigan, should the caseload in Houghton County not be brought under control by its OWN RESIDENTS;

  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Houghton, Michigan, that the Board of Commissioners REQUESTS that ALL members of the Community in the County of Houghton CONTINUE to practice, and INCREASE their adherence to, the public health guidelines for MASK WEARING, SOCIAL DISTANCING, FREQUENT HAND WASHING, and LIMITED GATHERINGS to reduce the continued spread of COVID-19 in Houghton County. And FURTHER, REQUEST that ALL members of the Community COOPERATE with contact tracing efforts to arrest the spread of COVID-19. 

  IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the ONLY way through this pandemic will be for the WHOLE COUNTY to ACTIVELY WORK to keep themselves, their friends, and their family safe. 

  Dated: September 29, 2020

  Albert Koskeka
  Chairman
  Houghton County Board of Commissioners
   

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