The window of the Hampton Inn of Marquette on Lakeshore is decorated with hearts in response to the pandemic. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

Peters and Stabenow secured this funding from the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act they helped enact.

“From the onset of this pandemic, it has been clear that we must dramatically increase our testing capabilities and access to testing,” said Peters, D-Michigan, a ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in a news release. “This federal funding will help Michigan health care centers determine who has coronavirus and can help prevent the spread of this devastating virus.”

Upper Peninsula facilities receiving funds are the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center in Gwinn, which will receive $467,779, and the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, which will be given $143,389.

Widespread testing will not only help contain the spread of COVID-19 and keep families safe, but also is essential to safely restart the economy and get people back to work, Stabenow, D-Michigan, said in the release.

For Monday, May 11.

“This funding for our health centers moves us one step closer to that goal,” Stabenow said in the news release.

The funding from the DHHS will support the various testing methods and related testing activities that best suit the conditions on the ground for each individual health care center. These funds can be used for purchasing personal protective equipment for frontline health care workers, staff training, public service announcements, procurement and administration of tests, laboratory upkeep, notifying identified contacts of infected individuals of their potential coronavirus exposure, and expanding both walk-up and drive-up testing operations.

Contracts awarded

The state of Michigan has approved contracts to rapidly expand Michigan’s contact tracing efforts in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state is partnering with Detroit-based Rock Connections LLC for volunteer management and Deloitte for technology integration in support of the COVID-19 contact tracing.

“Contact tracing is a proven public health strategy and another tool we’re utilizing to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the loss of life in our state,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, in a news release. “Our team has been working around the clock to stand up this new operation and look forward to significantly expanding the current contact tracing system in place.”

Contact tracing involves identifying individuals affected by COVID-19 and interviewing friends, families and other close contacts about their symptoms and health. Rock Connections will oversee volunteer staff who will call identified close contacts for daily check-ins.

Calls will be made seven days a week for the next six to 12 months. During these calls, volunteers will provide information about steps that exposed individuals should take to monitor their health and prevent the spread of COVID-19. They will also log responses to determine if these individuals are symptomatic for COVID-19 and need to be referred to other public health teams for additional follow-up.

More than 3,500 volunteers have completed contact tracing training and are ready to begin helping local health departments. This workforce will help speed up the process and provide support to local health departments already conducting contact tracing statewide.

Rock Connections was chosen through an evaluation team process with representatives from the Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for the more than $1 million contract.

Separately, Deloitte is providing technology integration on this project through an already established integration contract with the state. This includes an automated text messaging system that individuals can opt in to follow their initial call with a contact tracer. All vendors were approved through a State Emergency Operations Center review process.

Rock Connections has experience in the COVID-19 response, including operating a call center with 40 full-time employees at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit.

To sign up to volunteer for public health efforts, visit Michigan.gov/fightcovid19.

Kiwanis golf event

canceled

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the Ishpeming Kiwanis Club has canceled its upcoming charity golf outing, which was scheduled for June 9 at Wawonowin Country Club in Champion.

The club announced it was difficult to not host the event, the proceeds of which go to the club to support many youth-related activities, many in Marquette County. It said many sponsors already paid to advertise and support the outing, and it hopes these sponsors will allow the club to retain the funds.

If that’s the case, the donors will be paid in full for the 2021 event. However, if a sponsor has been dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 situation, the club will issue refund checks.

Extra care urged on trails

Although motorized trails are open to the public, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges off-road enthusiasts to use even greater care when riding trails this spring.

Due to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s updated “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, now extended through May 28, and the state of Michigan’s discretionary spending freeze, off-road vehicle, or ORV, trail maintenance has been temporarily suspended.

ORV grant sponsors typically handle needed maintenance work before the riding season starts. Under the order, normal preseason activities such as clearing dead or fallen trees, trimming brush, grading and replacing signage haven’t yet been completed.

The DNR stressed that riders are more likely to come across downed limbs and trees, uneven trail surfaces, missing signage and other related hazards.

ORV riders are asked to:

≤ Slow down.

≤ Take corners with extra caution.

≤ Watch for potential hazards.

≤ Stay on designated trails.

These measures, along with greater awareness of other trail users, are critical to ORV rider safety, the DNR said.

“While the DNR encourages taking advantage of local opportunities to get outdoors, there has been a sharp rise in ORV trail use,” said Greg Kinser, the DNR Parks and Recreation Division’s northern Lower Peninsula trails coordinator, in a news release. “Many riders return to their favorite trails year after year, but current conditions on those same trails are requiring more advanced riding skills this spring. As soon as it’s possible, we will begin the process of assessing trails and returning to regular maintenance activities.”

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