Dickinson County Memorial Hospital (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County’s hospital board had hoped to meet in person Thursday, but plans changed after local health officials reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Despite the uptick in infections, Dickinson County Healthcare System’s operations are “four to six weeks ahead of where we’d thought we’d be” after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s temporary ban on non-essential procedures, CEO Chuck Nelson told the board.

“We’re learning to deal with COVID and run the hospital at the same time,” he said during a teleconference session.

A report for June showed a positive bottom line of $382,000 with no outside income from grants, said Trustee Jeff Campbell, board finance chairman. “Things are getting closer to back to normal,” he said.

An operating loss of $1.6 million in May was offset by $5.6 million in stimulus funding. State restrictions on elective procedures were in effect for more than two months before being lifted near the end of May.

With June’s performance, the hospital’s year-to-date profit is $3.73 million, although some coronavirus funding may have to be repaid.

Sue Hadley, DCHS director of nursing, said the hospital’s COVID-19 committee works closely with the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department to follow the latest science, as well as the governor’s executive orders. Hadley encouraged wearing face coverings.

Two Dickinson County residents have died from the coronavirus — the most recent confirmed April 10. As of Thursday, the health department lists 26 Dickinson cases since the onset of the pandemic, including four considered recovered at least 30 days since the start of symptoms.

There was no report at Thursday’s meeting whether any COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized. DCHS, which has a wing dedicated for treatment, in late June noted five inpatients so far.

On Friday, the hospital updated its visitor restrictions, due to an increase in positive cases in the region. Among those measures, any patients who either are under investigation or confirmed positive for COVID-19 are not allowed visitors.

In other action, the hospital board:

— Heard Nelson report that urology services should return by late September, based in the Dickinson Medical Building on campus. Also, Dr. Clayton Shaker is expected to open a regional heart care clinic by the end of September, and outpatient rehabilitation care is expanding through a collaboration with UP Rehab Services.

— Reminded residents of COVID-19 drive-through testing to be offered with the aid of the Michigan National Guard from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 24, in the Kingsford Middle School/High School parking lot.

— Noted 650 respondents have participated so far in a DCHS survey available at www.dchs.org.

— Reviewed data showing DCHS had $8,478,526 in total operating revenue in June against expenses of $8,106,753. The hospital cared for 158 inpatients and 12,726 patients in the outpatient hospital setting. Also, 7,917 patients were seen in physician offices. Uncompensated care for the month totaled $578,326.

— Heard Chairwoman Margaret Minerick acknowledge the “management team and employees that have carried us so well through this COVID crisis.”

— Mentioned sponsorships and team slots available for the Dickinson Hospital Foundation’s Scramble for the Health of It golf outing Sept. 10 at Pine Grove Country Club. The event is the foundation’s major fundraiser.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.