By JIM ANDERSON

News Editor

IRON MOUNTAIN — A state of emergency for COVID-19 that had been in place for nearly seven months was lifted Monday by the Dickinson County Board.

“It’s no longer applicable to what’s going,” said Pete Schlitt, the county’s emergency services coordinator. “If we need it again, we can turn it back on very quickly.”

The county as of Monday has 84 active coronavirus cases, according to the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, but the rate of infections has slowed dramatically since the county board reinstated its emergency declaration Oct. 26, when there were 444 active cases.

Schlitt said the board’s action will affect governmental bodies, as they will now be required to meet in person. In some cases, boards can elect to hold hybrid meetings with an electronic option as well, he said.

The county first declared a coronavirus emergency March 16, 2020, following suit with the federal and state governments, but rescinded it May 21, 2020, with the understanding it could be reinstated. That was done in late October, just as the county entered its worst stretch of the pandemic. The county has reported 72 deaths linked to COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, but just five since mid-January.

The board Monday updated its courthouse virus protocols, intending to reopen county offices to the public Tuesday, June 1. Screenings will continue at the entrance, including temperature checks, Controller Brian Bousley said. Offices have been open only by appointment for more than a year, he noted.

Effective today, employees and visitors considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer be required to wear a face covering while inside the courthouse and correctional center.

Sheriff Scott Rutter, at his discretion, may continue to require employees, inmates and visitors to wear face coverings while in the jail. Also, judges will have discretion over courtroom protocols while complying with regulations from the State Court Administrative Office.

Fully vaccinated employees who are exposed to an individual who tests positive will no longer be required to quarantine, unless they begin to show virus symptoms.

In other action, the county board:

— Scheduled a special meeting for 8 a.m. Thursday to consider options for water line repairs at the Lake Antoine Park campground. An update is pending from Coleman Engineering of Iron Mountain after the board May 14 closed the campground until further notice. The park itself remains open for day use, pavilion rentals and other scheduled events, using portable restrooms. Commissioner Barbara Kramer said she hopes the county can potentially reopen the campground by the July 4 holiday, even if conditions are less than ideal. “It’s cost us good will,” she said the indefinite closure. Thursday’s meeting will take place in the correctional center’s conference room.

— Heard Eli Ward, manager of Northern RV Center in Quinnesec, speak in support of reopening the campground as soon as feasible, saying it’s a significant economic contributor. Also during citizens’ time, John Sacchetti of Iron Mountain said the board should invest no less than $750,000 into Lake Antoine Park improvements, utilizing a share of its $4.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds if permitted.