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. 

You can receive an email alert when a new briefing is posted. Subscribe here. 

Updates from Western U.P. Health Department

• One new positive case in Gogebic County today. 
• Four new cases and one probable for Gogebic County yesterday.
• Five probable cases added for Houghton County yesterday.
• Recoveries added for Gogebic, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties yesterday.

Updates from Gogebic County

• The city of Bessemer is hosting a town hall today, July 16, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. central time with the Western U.P. Health Department. Get involved here, https://www.facebook.com/events/837460790116456/.
   
• Emergency officials with the county have received a large shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and disinfectant from the state. It’s being distributed now. 

Updates from Ontonagon County

• With recent Executive Orders issued regarding the wearing of face masks throughout Michigan, Ontonagon County has issued guidance concerning local compliance and reporting procedures.
  
  Currently, both store employees and customers should be wearing facemasks while in a place of business, but what to do about it falls under two categories.
  
  First, if a store owner or employee asks a customer to wear a mask and the customer refuses, the owner may refuse service and ask the customer to leave the business. Failure to leave would involve local law enforcement. 
  
  Second, if a customer observes another shopper or a store employee not wearing a facemask, and feels the need to make a report, they may contact the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services at (517) 335-7858 or email the Michigan Attorney General at AG-Covid19@Michigan.gov including as much information about the incident as possible.
  
  “Our world is changing on a daily basis, but it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together,” said Ontonagon County Sheriff Dale Rantala. “Let’s try to be respectful of each other, keep our emotions in check and treat everyone the way we’d like to be treated.”

Updates from UPHS - Portage

• UP Health System is urging community members to wear face masks or cloth face coverings in public areas where social distancing is not easily achieved in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mandated by the state of Michigan as being an effective way to prevent the spread of the illness. The hospital has already instituted a universal masking protocol within its facilities and requires anyone entering to wear a face mask at all times. Read UPHS’s full announcement here, https://t.e2ma.net/webview/pvo1xc/c0683af417d0245c7beb0e5c30c5070c. 

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.