MARQUETTE — Due to the large increase of positive cases in the area and the recent update to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isolation and quarantine guidelines for COVID-19, the Marquette County Health Department announced on Tuesday that it will focus on outbreak investigation and infection prevention.

MCHD said in a news release that it will realign its approach to address COVID-19 by moving away from individual case investigations. As a result, there will be a change in who MCHD can contact.

MCHD said it will use only PEG, or Patient Education Genius, to contact individuals who are reported as positive. Individuals who provide a cell phone number or email at the time of testing will be contacted with a link to fill out an electronic form that MCHD will review.

Providing this information, the health department said, will help it monitor COVID-19 trends in the community and make decisions about where to use resources. This information, it pointed out, is important for people with school-aged children so schools can be informed.

MCHD said it will not contact anyone who does not receive a PEG form. Because of the large volume of cases, MCHD said it cannot provide individual assistance with determining quarantine, approving the end of isolation or providing letters for employers. Anyone needing proof of a positive test result should contact the facility where they were tested.

MCHD said all members of the public, including school-aged children, can follow the recent CDC guidelines when determining how long to isolate and quarantine after an exposure. Health care facilities and long-term care settings may adopt longer time frames.

MCHD has these recommendations for people testing positive:

≤ Stay home for five days and wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.

≤ If you have no symptoms or your symptoms resolve after five days, including being fever-free for 24 hours, you can leave your home.

≤ Continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days.

Recommendations for people exposed to someone with COVID-19 are:

≤ If you are up to date on all COVID-19 vaccinations, wear a mask around others for 10 days, testing on the fifth day if possible.

≤ If you are unvaccinated, have not completed the primary vaccination series or have not received a booster when eligible, stay home for five days, and test on the fifth day if possible. Wear a mask for 10 full days any time you are around others in your home or in public.

≤ If you cannot quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.

≤ Monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, stay home and get tested.

Recommendations for people testing positive with an at-home test are:

≤ Follow isolation guidelines.

≤ Notify your contacts and encourage them to follow guidelines for someone who has been exposed to COVID-19.

≤ You do not need to report your positive test to the health department. Home tests cannot be confirmed and are not included in daily case counts.

≤ If you need proof of a positive test for work, seek out confirmatory testing at a testing site. Do not go to the emergency room for testing.

MCHD encourages everyone eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccines are available for anyone ages 5 and older. Boosters are available for anyone ages 12 and older.

For more information about vaccines and COVID-19 testing, visit mqthealth.org.

At-home tests urged

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday urged Michiganders to take advantage of the federal government’s free COVID-19 testing program. At-home, rapid COVID-19 tests are available for free at COVIDTests.gov, with every household eligible for four free tests that will be shipped directly to Michiganders’ homes.

“The federal program to deliver free tests to every family is simple, easy and effective. It will remove barriers to testing, including time and cost, and make it easier for Michiganders to get tested,” Whitmer said in a statement.

“Testing is a crucial tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and I encourage every Michigander to claim their free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov.”

Testing in addition to getting vaccinated and wearing masks are “extremely effective” tools in preventing the spread of COVID-19, said Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Resources.

“We are grateful for the efforts the federal government is taking to make testing easy and accessible for all Michiganders,” Hertel said in a statement. “We hope all households in our state will take advantage of this resource.”

COVID-19 testing in Michigan is at an all-time high and these at-home tests will provide the necessary tools directly to Michigan residents to limit barriers to testing access and empowering residents to take immediate action after receiving a test result, the governor’s office said.

People should get an at-home test if they experience COVID-19 symptoms or if they are exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 — ideally five days after exposure or after experiencing symptoms — prior to or after traveling or attending a large gathering.

NMU updates numbers

According to the Northern Michigan University dashboard, accessed at nmu.edu/safe-on-campus/dashboard, as of Tuesday there have been 24 positive cases since Friday, with winter semester cases totaling 108.

The reported on-campus vaccination rate is 76.7% reporting having been vaccinated. The student vaccination rate is 73.1% while the residence hall vaccination rate is 69.1%. The employee vaccination rate is 95.1%.

There were 137 total cases reported during the fall semester.

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