MARQUETTE — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon on Wednesday issued an emergency order that updates and further expands requirements for residential care facilities.

The order also permits indoor visitation in residential care facilities under certain circumstances. Throughout the pandemic, MDHHS has used a range of public health tools and guidance to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, including emergency orders, officials said.

“As we grapple with both colder weather and rising cases, our task is to increase access to visitation in ways that do not increase the spread of the virus,” Gordon said in a statement. “Visitation is a substantial source of risk. This order provides a plan for visitation that mitigates risk and continues necessary protections in facilities across the state.”

The residential care order continues to limit communal dining and internal and external group activities consistent with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance. Additionally, it requires quick notification in the event that an employee or resident is confirmed as positive for COVID-19.

Under the order, visitation rules are linked to the risk level of the county. A list of county risk levels is available on the MI Safe Start Map at mistartmap.info.

Indoor visitation is now allowed in areas where the current risk level is A, B, C or D as long as the facilities have had no new cases, including those involving residents or staff, originating within the prior 14 days.

Indoor visitation is not allowed when the county is at risk level E, which has a threshold of 150 cases per million or a positivity rate greater than 20%.

All Upper Peninsula counties are currently at level E, according to mistartmap.info.

Visitation is also not allowed if the local health department has made a determination that it would be unsafe. Outdoor visitation is allowed throughout the state as long as the facility assures that the outdoor visitation area allows for at least 6 feet between all persons and adequate protection from weather elements is provided.

Based on county risk levels and the type of visit, some visitors will be required to receive COVID -19 testing prior to entry. Most nursing homes now are able to conduct point-of-care testing with a rapid turnaround, officials said.

NMU COVID numbers rise

The most recent cumulative numbers on Northern Michigan University’s Safe on Campus dashboard, found at https://nmu.edu/safe-on-campus/, show that between July 27 and Wednesday afternoon, there are 86 cumulative COVID-19 positive cases. These include 32 on-campus students, 47 off-campus students and 7 employees.

There are 14 active positive cases — two on-campus students, 11 off-campus students and one employee.

Prison COVID numbers up

The Michigan Department of Corrections has reported that as of Tuesday evening, the Marquette Branch Prison has 568 positive cases among inmates out of 1,033 tests given. A total of 561 cases are active.

A total of 120 Marquette Branch Prison staff have tested positive, the highest among state correctional facilities.

Unemployment extended

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed Senate bills 886 and 991, codifying part of her executive orders expanding unemployment benefits to Michiganders. The bills will increase unemployment benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks until the end of the year for state residents who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to put food on the table or pay their bills, especially during a global pandemic,” Whitmer said in a statement. “These bipartisan bills are an important step in providing immediate relief for working families, but given the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Michigan, I urge the legislature to take further action to make this permanent.”

Whitmer pointed out that 40 states, including all of Michigan’s neighboring states, automatically provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment relief.

However, the Legislature did not extend the governor’s efforts to speed up claim processing by allowing the Unemployment Insurance Agency to review only a claimant’s most recent employer separation, officials said. UIA must now evaluate every job a worker has left in the past 18 months, which the governor’s office considers to be a “waste of resources” because employers are not being directly charged for benefits paid at this time, the release states.

Free mask giveaway expanded

The United Way of Marquette County is expanding its free cloth mask giveaway to the Fair Avenue canopy at the Peninsula Medical Center in Marquette and the parking lot of the Country Village Ace Hardware at 1550 Country Lane in Ishpeming. The events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and are open to the public.

Traveling safely during the pandemic

The holiday season will be different for Michiganders — and many people worldwide — this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure families do not miss out on being together during the holidays, the MDHHS is advising people how to travel and gather safely during the holidays.

“Celebrating the holiday season with family and friends is one of our most cherished traditions,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, in a statement. “Even though the way we celebrate may have to be different, the guidance issued today shows there are still many ways to spend quality time with family and friends safely during this festive season.”

Traveling and in-person gatherings increase the chances of getting and spreading COVID-19, so staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others, the MDHHS advised. However, people who decide to travel for the holidays are urged to take these safety measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19:

≤ Wear a mask and keep your nose and mouth covered when in public places;

≤ Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household;

≤ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol;

≤ Avoid contact with anyone who is sick; and

≤ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

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