IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County is on board with statewide efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus, the chairman of the local health board said Monday.

Commissioner Joe Stevens said Dickinson County Memorial Hospital has a unit set aside in the event the virus reaches this region. While there have been no confirmed cases yet in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has created four task forces to fight the virus and assess the impact it may have.

Over the past several weeks, the state has been working with schools, businesses, medical providers, and local health departments to make sure they have the information they need to be ready for potential cases.

“If there is something that comes our way, we’re well-prepared to deal with it,” said Stevens, who chairs the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department Board.

During a discussion at Monday’s county board meeting, Controller Brian Bousley said courthouse staff has emphasized the use of hand sanitizer and wipes. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched a campaign to raise awareness of appropriate hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and other illnesses.

For most people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But it can also cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

People with mild symptoms recover in about two weeks, while survivors with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover, according to the World Health Organization.

The virus has infected 600 people in the United States and at least 26 have died, most in Washington state, according to the Associated Press. Two people in Wisconsin have tested positive.

Whitmer has assigned coronavirus task forces to cover state operations, education, the economy/workforce and health and human services.

In other action, the county board:

— Heard Stevens report that Dickinson County Healthcare System has experienced “no hiccups” in its plans to sell revenue bonds to provide $31.7 million to refinance debt, replace equipment, upgrade information systems and make facility improvements. The financing plan places no obligation on taxpayers, but the county has agreed to put the deed to its hospital property on U.S. 2 in the name of DCHS once the bonds are issued. A preliminary official statement on the financing has been released, and “they still expect to get it done by the end of the month,” said Stevens, a liaison to the hospital board.

— Approved the appointment of Matthew Baumgartner as county equalization director. Baumgartner, formerly the assistant director, was authorized in May to pursue Level 3 assessor certification. The county paid expenses for the training and he will be obligated to stay in the position five years, starting at an annual salary of $58,380. Sid Bray, former equalization director, will be available as a consultant and Lori Gregory is the new assistant director. “The transition has gone smoothly and according to plan,” Baumgartner said while thanking the board for its support.

— Authorized promoting veterans service officer Denise Formolo from part-time to full-time, contingent on grant funding. If the grant is reduced, employment hours and benefits will be adjusted. A second position in the county’s veterans office in the Northern Lights YMCA building will remain part-time, limited to 29 hours per week. The county expects a base grant from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency of $50,000, plus a per-capita allocation of up to $14,000, Bousley said. The county supports the office through a voter-approved levy of 0.1 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, currently raising nearly $90,000 annually.

— Will select a vendor at its March 23 meeting to supply playground equipment for a grant-aided project at Lake Antoine Park. The county was named in 2018 to receive a $30,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, but work was delayed by several factors, including the state’s stipulations. The estimated local match is $17,000, which would include in-kind labor from the county and Lake Antoine Partners.

— Reappointed David Brisson and Ron Milbrath to three-year terms on the Dickinson County Road Commission and Joan Luhtanen to a three-year term on the Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare Systems Board.

— Expressed appreciation for the services of Susan Khoury, who is stepping down from the Dickinson County Library Board after 24 years. Commissioner Barbara Kramer said Khoury was “a marvelous board member” and Stevens said her contributions will be sorely missed.

— Received an update on weapons screenings at the courthouse entrance, which Bousley said have gone smoothly. A walk-through scanner is in place and five retired officers are available for staffing. A total of 1,021 screenings were conducted last week.

— Accepted a Michigan Department of Transportation contract that enables the county to be reimbursed for expenses of up to $2,000 for aircraft rescue and firefighter training.

— Learned from Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. that Dickinson County Fairgrounds will host “Motor Madness Day” on June 27, featuring go-kart racing, Norway Speedway stock car racing, a demolition derby and concert.