MARQUETTE — More Norlite Nursing Center residents have tested positive for active COVID-19 infections after further testing was done, the facility announced on Monday on its Facebook page.

Surveillance testing last week revealed what the facility expected, which was that additional residents were infected.

“The vast majority of these residents are showing no symptoms at all,” the post read. “We are currently treating 18 patients with lab-confirmed coronavirus; several with scheduled follow-up testing to clear.”

Norlite said round two of surveillance testing — testing of residents with no symptoms — began Monday. The entire facility, which is located at 701 Homestead St. in Marquette, will be tested from Monday through Wednesday.

Five of the facility’s COVID-19 positive residents have passed away during the pandemic.

Employee surveillance testing also has begun, with Norlite thanking Upper Peninsula Health System and the Marquette County Health Department for helping to coordinate the effort.

“The staff has been working extremely hard under extraordinarily stressful and heartbreaking circumstances,” the Monday post read. “They are making tremendous sacrifices to protect our residents. We are proud of them and the community should be as well.

“The entire long-term care profession is battling on the front lines of this pandemic. Many nurses have joined our fight, and we are extremely grateful for those heroes helping our team.”

However, it acknowledged more help is needed.

The facility said it will schedule around employees’ availability, and “Hero Pay” bonuses are being offered.

“Most everybody’s been really supportive, very courageous,” Norlite Administrator Wayne Johnson said in a Monday telephone interview. “They’ve really stepped up to the plate. I’m very proud of the team.”

Officials noted the facility has a good supply of personal protective equipment such as gowns, face shields and respirators to ensure health care workers are protected. Lodging also can be arranged.

The State of Michigan Emergency Operations Center said the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has expanded testing criteria as the state works to increase testing supplies and services. Now any Michigander displaying mild symptoms or any essential worker still reporting to work in person, whether symptomatic or not, is eligible to be tested with an order from a health care provider.

Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.