Dickinson County Memorial Hospital

IRON MOUNTAIN — Visitor restrictions remain in place at Dickinson County Healthcare System, but more patients are being seen for elective procedures as the number of COVID-19 cases has stayed relatively low.

Patient volumes are starting to rebound after many services were shut down eight to 10 weeks, CEO Chuck Nelson told the hospital board Thursday.

“We navigated that pretty well and are coming out of it in pretty good shape,” he said. A number of furloughed employees should be back on duty by the end of June, he added.

Trustee Jeffrey Campbell, who chairs the finance committee, said May was “an excellent month,” largely due to grant awards. A detailed report should be forthcoming, he added.

No figures were shared during the teleconference meeting.

Sue Hadley, DCHS director of nursing, said the hospital’s COVID-19 committee continues to meet daily and the facility is well-prepared to treat all types of patients. Potential hospital visitors may call 906-776-5950 for updates as the facility opens up more, she said.

A month ago, the hospital reported reducing the size of its COVID-19 treatment area to four beds as it prepared to resume routine services suspended during the pandemic.

As of Thursday, DCHS has listed 10 positive COVID-19 tests, and 890 negative results. Of the 10 positives, seven are residents of other counties. Two Dickinson County residents have died from the virus, with the most recent death confirmed April 10.

In other action, the hospital board:

— Heard from Tamara Juul of the Dickinson Hospital Foundation, who said a new gift shop should be open by the end of summer, part of a $100,000 foundation-funded front lobby renovation. Also, the foundation has provided a new washer and dryer at a cost of $13,175 to allow the hospital to launder gowns in-house.

— Welcomed new CFO Brian Donahue, as Chairwoman Margaret Minerick complimented “a great team here.”

— Announced plans to meet in-person for its next regular monthly meeting July 16. The panel has been meeting by teleconference since March.