For Wednesday, June 17.

MARQUETTE — UP Health System-Marquette announced that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower-than-expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidelines. The updated restrictions will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day and are effective immediately.

“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and well-being of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Gar Atchison, UPHS-Marquette CEO, in a news release. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”

As part of the updated visitor restrictions, patients may designate one well visitor per stay, including one companion for outpatient appointments and one support person for obstetric patients. All visitors, who must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and a dated UPHS visitor sticker for identification while in the facility. Designated visitors are permitted between 1 and 6 p.m. and must remain in the patient’s room except for the use of restrooms.

Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are free of symptoms.

Visitors are not allowed for patients in isolation, including those who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

UP Health System-Bell also announced that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions, which are effective immediately.

The updated visitor restrictions are the same as those now in place for UPHS-Marquette.

Summer reading to begin

Online registration for the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library Summer Reading Program begins on Monday with the program slated to run from June 29 to Aug. 15.

All ages of children, from babies to teens, are encouraged to join.

Summer Reading Craft Bags will be available for outside pickup at the Children’s Room entrance to the library from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and from 3 to 5 p.m. June 25. The craft bags can also be picked up when using the library curbside service.

This will be the first year the library uses an online program called Wandoo Reader, a game-like program that allows parents and children to digitally track their minutes spent reading and the progress made toward reaching their own personal goal and helping to meet a community-wide goal.

For participants who prefer paper copies, those materials will also be provided when picking up their summer reading craft kit or available to download and print from the library website at www.uproc.lib.mi.us/ishpeming/.

Summer programming will include art, reading and LEGO building challenges, virtual storytimes and virtual book clubs.

Further details about the Summer Reading Program, including the link to access Wandoo Reader, can be found on the library website. Call 906-486-4381 to get more information.

Portal reopened

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, wants the public to know of a new small business loan update regarding the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and the Paycheck Protection Program offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA has reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance program portal found at www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19. Previously, the program was limited to agricultural applications for a period of time.

Bergman also said President Donald Trump signed the PPP Flexibility Act into law. This legislation provides greater flexibility to businesses that need this money to get through this challenging time.

The terms of the PPP, he said, had proven too inflexible for employers, employees and lenders facing financial challenges. This bill allows forgiveness for expenses beyond the original eight-week covered period, relaxes restrictions limiting non-payroll expenses to 25% of loan proceeds, eliminates restrictions that limit loan terms to two years, ensures full access to payroll tax deferment for businesses that take PPP loans, and provides a rehiring safe harbor for businesses unable to rehire employees due to the effects of enhanced unemployment insurance.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.