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Covid-19

Health department announces influenza, COVID vaccinations

KINGSFORD — The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department announces plans to conduct the following off-site community influenza and COVID immunization clinics. Appointments are necessary; no walk-ins will be accepted. Individuals attending the clinics will be required to wear a mask. Please contact the office directly at 906-774-1868 in Dickinson County or 906-265-9913 in Iron County to make an appointment. Dickinson County Clinic dates: — Dickinson County Fairgrounds — Norway, Friday, Oct. 1; — Dickinson County Fairgrounds — Norway- Friday, Oct. 22. Iron County ...

As COVID-19 vaccine mandates rise, religious exemptions grow

An estimated 2,600 Los Angeles Police Department employees are citing religious objections to try to get out of the required COVID-19 vaccination. In Washington state, thousands of state workers are seeking similar exemptions. And in Arkansas, a hospital has been swamped with so many such requests from employees that it is apparently calling their bluff. Religious objections, once used sparingly around the country to get exempted from various required vaccines, are becoming a much more widely used loophole against the COVID-19 shot. And it is only likely to grow following ...

Saints coaches test positive for COVID

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that a group of his offensive coaches, along with the team’s nutritionist and a player, have tested positive for COVID-19. Payton didn’t identify by name any of those who had tested positive. But he later indicated that those missing from in-person preparations included an offensive line coach, a receivers coach, a running backs coach and two tight ends coaches. Payton said all are vaccinated. Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday that six offensive assistants had tested positive. That ...

VA implements visitor restrictions

IRON MOUNTAIN – Due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the community, the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain will temporarily restrict visitation to its Community Living Center and Inpatient Unit. Visitors will be prohibited from entering the medical center unless it is necessary for providing medical care, supporting patient care activities, or visiting under exigent circumstances, such as grave illness or imminent death of a family member under care in the facility. For more information, go to www.ironmountain.va.gov.

Evers to require COVID tests for executive branch workers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers' administration issued an order Tuesday requiring all executive branch workers who haven't submitted their COVID-19 vaccination status to their supervisors or aren't fully vaccinated to undergo weekly testing. The mandate will go into effect Oct. 18 and apply to all executive branch employees, interns and contractors. The order drew immediate opposition from the Republican leader of the state Senate. Sen. Devin LeMahieu called it a “sweeping” mandate that was based not on the law but rather “coerced medical disclosures from workers.” He ...

Dickinson to hire consultant on virus aid

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will seek the services of consultant before making a decision on how to spend the nearly $5 million it will receive through the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act. Failure to comply with legislative guidelines would mean a loss of funding and county board members are concerned the rules aren’t precise enough to prevent a misstep. The board Monday authorized Controller Brian Bousley to solicit proposals from approved ARP consulting firms and potentially offer a contract. The consultant would be expected to provide oversight and ...