Latest COVID exposure sites reported

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — The Iron County Health Department has reported two new possible COVID-19 exposure sites.

The health department confirmed there were positive cases identified at a sand volleyball tournament in Mercer from 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 11 and at the Liberty Way Tap House in Mercer on Aug. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m.

“This is not intended to lay blame on any local businesses, anyone who tested positive … or other locations identified,” a department spokesperson said in the announcement Friday, adding that people may have been asymptomatic and not known they were sick when they went out. “It is meant to allow the public to better know their potential risk of being previously exposed to someone who has tested positive.”

Health Department officials said anyone with COVID-19 who was in public during their potential time of communicability and had significant exposure to others could have spread the disease to those they came in close contact with. The health department uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s standard of being within 6 feet of a person for at least 15 minutes to determine what constitutes significant exposure.

Anyone who was present at one of the exposure sites is asked to monitor their health for symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they are asked to isolate themselves and contact their physician.

The health department reported a total of 78 positive Iron County residents, as of Friday, with 70 being considered recovered. The county also reported 1,234 negative tests, as of Friday.

Federal, state and local officials do not advise large gatherings at this time, according to the department spokesperson, and there is no projected timeframe available as to when this advisory would change.

“Event planners should work closely with local health departments and local law enforcement on any future plans and decisions,” the spokesperson said.

Michigan’s coronavirus website reported a total of 125 positive cases and 10 probable cases in Gogebic County, as of Sunday, with 24 positives and two probables in Ontonagon County.

Health officials in both states continue to urge people to wear masks when in public, practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible and limit travel, and wash their hands frequently.