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DCHS has a second COVID case, again from out of county

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Healthcare System has reported a second positive COVID-19 case, again in a resident from outside the county.

A specimen collected in Delta County came back positive, DCHS announced Tuesday. It was not clear whether this was the same woman reported Sunday as Delta County’s first case.

It is included in DCHS data because the site sent the specimen into the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for testing, DCHS officials said.

The first DCHS case to test positive came Thursday but originated from Marinette County in Wisconsin. That county Tuesday announced its second confirmed case of COVID-19 but provided no other details. Marinette County Public Health officials said they now are working to identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact with that individual.

The Upper Peninsula as of Tuesday afternoon had 11 positive cases and one death from COVID-19, all reported since March 22. Chippewa, Mackinac, Delta, Houghton and Luce counties each have one case, while Marquette County has four who tested positive, one added Tuesday. The death was an elderly man with underlying health conditions March 26 in Gogebic County, which also reported a new case Tuesday but had no details.

Among the four positives in Marquette County is an employee of Norlite Nursing Center, according to WLUC-TV.

Employees and residents’ families were notified the employee last worked at Norlite on March 25. When the employee arrived for her 2 a.m. shift, enhanced screening protocols showed she had a 100-degree temperature. Officials say she had coughing and a sore throat for a couple of days but now feels fine.

All COVID-19 tests at the facility have been negative, WLUC-TV reported, with about 10 tests pending. Visitors are not allowed at Norlite. Families are encouraged to talk to residents via texting, phone calls or video chats.

Wisconsin’s Iron County also had a death March 26 attributed to COVID-19 complications.

As of Tuesday afternoon, DCHS reported collecting 42 specimens for testing, with 25 negative results, two positives, and 15 pending.

The hospital advises if you are sick and experiencing serious respiratory problems, please call your health care provider or the DCHS COVID-19 hotline at 906-776-5858.

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