Local COVID death toll hits 50

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — A total of 37 people are dead in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties in connection with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with another 13 deaths in Iron County, Wisconsin, related to COVID-19.

As of Saturday, a total of 23 people had died in Gogebic County over the course of the pandemic, according to data on the state’s coronavirus website. That’s up from the 21 deaths the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department reported last Monday.

The county has had 567 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the virus was first detected locally in March, according to the state’s Saturday update, and an additional 203 probable cases.

Ontonagon County has had 249 confirmed cases, 26 probables and 14 deaths, according to state data. That’s a change from the 239 positives, 29 probables, 11 deaths the health department reported last Monday.

The five counties of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties that the health department serves have had a total of 2,533 confirmed cases, 565 probable cases and 67 deaths through Saturday’s update.

Michigan has had a total of 350,021 confirmed cases and 9,036 deaths connected to the virus.

In Wisconsin, state data from Sunday shows a total of 351 confirmed cases, 62 additional probables and 13 deaths in Iron County.

The state of Wisconsin has had a total of 384,701 confirmed cases, 24,353 additional probables and a total of 3,487 deaths over the course of the pandemic.

Health officials in both states continue to urge residents to wear masks, practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible and frequently wash their hands as these remain the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus.