MANISTIQUE — As we move into the unofficial start of summer over the holiday weekend, COVID transmission levels have also moved into high-risk in Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft Counties, according to the LMAS Health Department. Alger County is up to medium risk.

From Wednesday, May 18 to Wednesday, May 25, cases have increased by 30% in Alger County, 62% in Luce County, 155% in Schoolcraft County, and 5% in Mackinac County where transmission levels have already been high for the last two weeks. With the continued use of home testing, these increases are not capturing many cases, health officials 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 areas of high-risk transmission. This recommendation is made as an effort to reduce the continued spread of COVID-19 in the community. In an effort to protect each other, especially those who are most vulnerable such as children under 5 and those with compromised immune systems, LMAS encourages community members to take these small steps:

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

– If you become ill with a fever and other symptoms (sore throat, cough, etc.) 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

– Wear 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. All households can also now order additional test kits at COVID.gov/tests. For more information or to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit LMASDHD.org. Visit COVID.CDC.gov to access the data tracker for the United States, individual states, or by county.