WUPHD releases data on Gogebic testing events

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

HANCOCK — A pair of Michigan National Guard COVID-19 testing events in Gogebic County earlier this month resulted in a total of nine new positive cases, according to information from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Monday.

The Aug. 8 event at the Lac Vieux Desert Casino in Watersmeet had 341 people tested, with five new positive cases and three confirmations of existing positives. There were 319 negative tests at the event, along with one pending or inconclusive test.

There were a total of four positive tests at the Aug. 12 testing event at the Ironwood Public Safety Department, as well as 313 negatives and one inconclusive test.

The numbers helped bring Gogebic County’s cumulative number of cases to 127 positives and nine additional probables, according to the health department’s Monday update. Of those cases, the data lists 36 as recovered. Ontonagon has 26 positives and four probables, according to Monday’s update, with two recovered cases.

In total, the five counties the WUPHD serves has had a total of 208 positives and 20 probables, with 99 cases considered to be recovered. Houghton County has had 48 positives and seven probables, Baraga County has had five positives and Keweenaw County has had two positives.

In Wisconsin, the Iron County Health Department reported a jump in the number of cases there over the weekend as there were 89 county residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, as of Monday. This number is up 11 from the total of 78 positives announced Friday. Of the 89 positives, 76 are considered recovered. The county has also had 1,261 negative tests so far.

Iron County health officials also announced a new possible exposure site Monday, saying they have confirmed there were postive cases at Tom’s Country Cafe in Mercer from 7 to 9 a.m. Aug. 11 and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Aug. 14.

A spokesperson with the health department stressed listing exposure sites isn’t intended to blame a particular business or person, as they may not know they were positive when they were at a location, but instead is to provide people with information to help them determine whether they need to monitor their symptoms or be tested.

If someone who has been at a listed exposure site develops symptoms related to COVID-19, the department advises them to isolate themselves and contact their physician.

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