MARQUETTE — A deputy in the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

The office was notified on Sunday that a deputy in the corrections division — who was tested on June 2 along with other jail staff — had a positive result.

As part of measures to protect inmates and corrections staff, the sheriff’s office said it had initiated COVID-19 testing for its staff and Marquette County Jail inmates.

There were “problems with the local testing equipment and samples had to be sent out of the area,” which resulted in the positive result being received on Sunday, officials said in the press release.

The deputy who tested positive was asymptomatic and “had no idea he had contracted the virus,” and is in quarantine, the release stated.

Sheriff Greg Zyburt said the deputy had traveled out of area, and more test results are expected today.

Additional staff testing is taking place, and no other current cases have been confirmed.

The current case is not believed to be related to the case of an inmate who tested positive on May 23.

That person was isolated and released from jail to perform a self-quarantine with the help of the Marquette County Health Department.

The sheriff’s office has been working closely with the health department and county staff to avoid the spread of COVID-19 among staff and inmates, it said.

Testing was offered to inmates on May 14 and was conducted with the help of the state of Michigan and the Michigan National Guard. COVID-19 was not identified among the staff or population at the time.

Plans are being implemented to continue testing of staff and inmates for the coronavirus.

As of Tuesday, no other current cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the jail, and protocols are being followed to reduce the chance of exposure.

Alger, Keweenaw have first positive cases

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an Alger County resident.

The LMAS District Health Department on Tuesday became aware of a positive COVID-19 result through laboratory testing.

The person is an adult and had contact with a confirmed case in another state, and are hospitalized out of the area.

The health department will notify people who have been identified as close contacts and will be assessed for symptoms and monitored appropriately.

To protect patient privacy, the LMAS District Health Department will not disclose additional information about the individual and will not submit news updates for any additional cases after this first case.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department said it was notified on Tuesday of the first COVID-19 positive case in Keweenaw County.

The asymptomatic case was found during preoperative testing protocols at an area hospital.

Close contacts of the person include recent visitors from downstate. The department continues to investigate the case.

Additionally, the agency on Tuesday reported another asymptomatic positive for Houghton County, which is under investigation.

“We will be closely monitoring any individuals who may have had direct, personal contact with the identified cases, such as household contacts,” said Kate Beer, WUPHD health officer, in a news release. “Additional information will be provided if our investigation reveals any possible lower-risk community exposures. Case investigation and contact tracing are becoming even more important as stay-at-home orders are lifted.”

Workers First plan introduced

The Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus and the Michigan AFL-CIO announced the introduction of the Workers First Reopening Plan to support workers and ensure their safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The comprehensive 11-bill package aims to protect Michigan workers while limiting the time frame of missed work by employees. These worker protections, while using increased testing, increased workplace sanitation and social distancing practices, will help to avoid large economic disruptions and curb unforeseen costs.

“Allowing workers the leeway to stay home and get healthy before coming back to work will protect our workforce, protect their families and ultimately protect our businesses by avoiding a long-term shutdown,” said state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, a member of the MLLC who introduced two of the bills in the package, in a statement. “In the end, having paid sick leave and hazard pay protections for workers during a pandemic will save our economy. By being proactive instead of reactive, everyone wins.”

Cambensy’s first bill would create special paid sick leave protections for COVID-19, allowing workers to take time off due to doctor-ordered self-quarantine or to take care of a family member who is ill with the virus. The second would extend hazard pay during declared health emergencies to workers who provide direct face-to-face care but are often exempt from receiving additional support, such as those working in high-risk workplaces that include long-term care facilities and correctional facilities.

Aid for veterans coming

Twelve Michigan counties have been approved for nearly $1.1 million in County Veteran Service Fund Emergency Relief funding while other counties are close to securing another $253,819 in emergency relief assistance.

Eligible veterans — both wartime and peacetime — in participating counties may use the money to make home and vehicle repairs, pay medical expenses and meet other emergency needs.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency reported Marquette County has secured $47,700 in emergency assistance for eligible veterans, including $5,000 for grocery vouchers through Meijer.

The deadline for counties to apply for the CVSR-ER grant program is June 30. Counties can contact Karen Rowlader for more information at rowladerk@michigan.gov or 517-243-7675.

Veterans can find the Veteran Service Office in their counties and learn about CVSF-ER requirements and what might be available in their area at https://michiganveterans.com/find-benefits-counselor and clicking on the relevant county. Questions also can be directed to the MVAA’s Veteran Resource Service Center, which is available 24/7 at 1-800-MICH-VET.