MARQUETTE — The Luce, Mackinac, Alger, Schoolcraft District Health Department reported its first COVID-19-related death.

The individual, an older male who died Saturday morning, was admitted to Upper Peninsula Health System-Marquette on Thursday, an LMAS press release states.

The person’s county of residence has not been disclosed to protect the privacy of his family, officials said.

“Our deepest sympathies to the family who have lost their loved one,” LMAS Health Officer Nick Derusha said in the release. “This is a sad reminder of the seriousness of this virus, and that we must all work together to take care of each other.”

The health department is reminding all residents that “the virus which causes COVID-19 is here.

“We continue to ask each of you to help bring the number of cases down, and reduce the chance of additional illnesses and deaths by wearing a clean cloth face covering over your mouth and nose, avoid large gatherings, and please stay home if you don’t feel well.”

The death was not reported in Saturday’s COVID-19 data released by the state of Michigan.

For more information about COVID-19, visit Michigan.gov and LMASDHD.org.

United Way distributes masks

To help protect local residents from contracting COVID-19, the United Way of Marquette County is passing out 23,000 masks to the community.

For Make A Difference Day, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the United Way will distribute reusable cloth face masks free of charge.

The event will be drive-thru only at the south entrance of the Peninsula Medical Center, located at 1414 W. Fair Ave. in Marquette.

“When we see a need in Marquette County, we do what we can to fill it,” said Andrew Rickauer, executive director of the United Way of Marquette County, in a news release. “We are doing our part to make sure our friends and neighbors stay safe during the pandemic.”

Rickauer said the masks are sealed in plastic, with COVID-19 interaction recommendations to be followed during the event.

The United Way received the 23,000 masks from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the HHS’s Project: America Strong grant program. The masks are fabric and can be washed to be worn multiple times.

The goal of Project: America Strong is to slow the spread of COVID-19 by sending free masks to communities in need, organizers said.

Rickauer said that following the event, the United Way will reach out to local groups to distribute free masks until the supply runs out. Businesses, nonprofit organizations or schools that need masks may contact the UW office at 906-226-8171.

Remote hearings addressed

Whitmer on Friday signed emergency rules allowing the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct remote hearings to protect Michiganders and frontline workers.

“Continuing the practice of remote hearings will help us continue to protect Michigan families, frontline workers and small businesses,” Whitmer said in a statement.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, and with the authority given by emergency executive orders, the administrative law judges and Tax Tribunal members at the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules have remotely conducted nearly 25,000 hearings.

Despite the Michigan Supreme Court’s recent ruling, the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules has administrative rule authority to continue to conduct hearings by telephone or video conference in order to reduce the risk to all hearing participants of both the transmission and a resurgence of COVID-19, officials said.

However, the current rule set does not apply to administrative hearings held on behalf of the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and the Michigan Public Service Commission.

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