MARQUETTE — Marquette Area Public Schools has confirmed two staff members at Superior Hills Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19.

District superintendent Bill Saunders confirmed the positive results in a letter to parents and guardians that was posted on the MAPS website Thursday.

According to the posting, the letter also states that several more staffers and a small number of students have been identified as close contacts of the confirmed cases. All close contacts are required to quarantine for 14 days from the last possible time of exposure, which district officials said was Tuesday.

Superior Hills will be closed to in-person learning through Sept. 29 as recommended by the Marquette County Health Department, and the current plan is to re-open the building for face-to-face instruction beginning Sept. 30.

All students have been sent home with their school Chromebook computers to begin online learning. Superior Hills instructs students in kindergarten through the fifth grade.

“We understand how difficult it is for families to make alternate arrangements on short notice for these upcoming days,” Saunders said in the letter. “Please know that we appreciate your help in stopping the potential spread of this disease through this quick action. Our staff has been diligent in wearing masks while working and complying with our strict district guidelines. We will continue to clean and disinfect light switches, door knobs/push bars, locker handles, toys, bathrooms, copy machines, etc., in addition to our regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule. All families will be notified as soon as we receive additional direction from the health department.

“Please don’t hesitate to contact our building principal, Mr. (Zack) Sedgwick, the Marquette County Health Department or myself with questions or concerns.”

For the latest state or local coronavirus information, call the Marquette County Health Department at 906-475-9977 or visit www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus.

Possible exposure on Mackinac Island

The Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft District Health Department has announced a number of possible COVID-19 exposure sites on Mackinac Island and in Mackinaw City between Sept. 11 and Sept 13.

Transportation to and from Mackinac Island from Mackinac City via Shepler’s Ferry: Sept. 11, Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island at 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 13, Mackinac Island to Mackinaw City, 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.

Locations on Mackinac Island include: The Great Turtle Brewery and Distillery for lunch in the early afternoon of Sept. 12; the Sea Biscuit for dinner on the evening of Sept. 12; Milly’s on Main for lunch in early afternoon on Sept. 13 and the Yankee Rebel from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The businesses are cooperating fully and are following all COVID-19 precautions, the LMAS release stated.

Those who were present at these locations during the dates and times noted and develop COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of the date of exposure are asked to contact their primary health care provider or local health department for further instruction. LMAS can also provide assistance at 906-643-1100.

The LMAS District Health Department reminds everyone that COVID-19 is present in communities. It is vital to continue wearing cloth face coverings in any public indoor setting and outdoors in large gatherings or where it is difficult to maintain six feet of distance from persons not in your household. Hand washing and staying home when sick are also critical.

Sault Tribe mails disaster relief checks

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians sent out $12.3 million in disaster relief to members in its seven-county service area on Friday. The $1,000 COVID-19 disaster relief checks were sent out to the 12,340 tribal members who applied for the funds, according to a release issued on Friday.

Officials said 14,000 applications were sent out to tribal members Aug. 7. Applications are still being accepted.

In addition to the disaster relief checks, which will mostly benefit members in eastern Upper Peninsula communities, $1.1 million in hazard pay checks were sent out to tribal employees.

Chief Financial Officer Bob Schulte said the more than $15 million would be dispersed, including the normal payroll checks, which were also printed Thursday.

Schulte said casino staffers are preparing for a high number of requests to cash the checks. Huntington Bank, Central Savings Bank, PNC Bank and Soo Co-Op Credit Union have also been notified that they might see much higher numbers of requests to cash checks.  

Executive Director Christine McPherson applauded the financial assistance for tribal members.

“I would like to thank the tribal chairman and the tribal board of directors for the support and authorization of these programs for the benefit of our tribal members. I know it will not solve all issues but (it) will assist in a small way to help our members. These types of large projects involve many tribal team members’ efforts, and it is truly appreciated.”

Insurers to provide free testing,

treatment through end of year

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services announced on Friday agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurers to waive all out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing and treatments — including copays, deductibles and coinsurance — through the end of this year. These agreements cover more than 92% of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan, according to the announcement.

Insurers that have entered into an agreement with the state include Aetna Better Health of Michigan; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network; HAP, Alliance Health; Humana; McLaren Health Plan; Meridian Health Plan; Molina Healthcare Michigan; Paramount Care of Michigan; Physicians Health Plan; Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co. and Total Health Care.

Consumers on individual and group health plans through these companies will not be charged cost-sharing for medically appropriate COVID-19-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications and vaccines when they become available.

The waived cost-sharing applies to commercial health insurance products from the insurers named in the state agreement. Consumers seeking COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company to find out about their coverage. Insured consumers who pay up front or receive a bill for COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company for assistance.

“Under the U.S. Families First Coronavirus Response Act, consumers with health insurance through Oscar, UnitedHealthcare and other insurers not named in the state agreement currently have COVID-19 coverage without out-of-pocket costs during the federal public health emergency, which is currently set to expire in late October,” the release states. “These insurers may extend their coverage with no out-of-pocket costs so consumers should contact their agent or call the number on the back of their card to ask about their coverage before incurring costs for COVID-19 testing or treatment. In accordance with federal law, consumers with Medicaid or Medicare may also receive a no-cost COVID-19 test and related services provided by a health care provider.”

According to the release, DIFS can help with health insurance questions and complaints. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or DIFS-HICAP@michigan.gov.

The Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program can provide tips and help answer questions about health insurance, including special enrollment periods for those experiencing job loss or an income reduction.