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ST. IGNACE — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has moved Mackinac County into its community level classification of high risk for COVID-19 transmission and infection, the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department announced on Wednesday.

In Mackinac County, COVID-19 cases have risen by 54% in the past two weeks, it said.

The CDC recommends that all community members wear secure, high-filtration face masks when indoors at public settings and in close proximity to others in times of high-risk transmission. This recommendation is made to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 in the community.

“Throughout the past two years we have gained many tools to help us deal with COVID-19,” LMAS District Health Department Health Officer and Director Nick Derusha said in a news release. “One of the most important tools are the COVID-19 vaccines. If you have not already done so, please talk to your medical provider about getting vaccinated and boosted.”

To protect the vulnerable, LMAS encourages community members to take these steps in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in Mackinac County:

≤ Get vaccinated, including a booster or fourth dose if eligible,

≥ If you become ill with a fever and other symptoms such as a sore throat and cough, stay home until your fever subsides and symptoms improve.

≤ Get tested, and if positive for COVID-19, notify your close contacts and talk to your medical provider about therapeutics.

≤ Consider wearing a well-fitting mask if in close contact with others in an indoor setting.

LMAS has free COVID-19 testing kits and masks available to the public at all four LMAS offices in St. Ignace, Newberry, Manistique and Munising. For more information and to schedule another COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit lmasdhd.org.