ISHPEMING — Ishpeming Public Schools has moved students to distance learning because of a positive COVID-19 case in the building housing its middle school and high school.

IPS Superintendent Carrie Meyer confirmed on Friday that the school district has learned of a positive case in Ishpemimg Middle School, with some exposure to other students.

“With the increase of positive COVID cases in our area, and so many students out of the school for testing, we took the approach of being conservative to prevent any further exposure,” Meyer said in an email.

Meyer said IPS expects to resume face-to-face learning on Nov. 2.

“If not exposed or having symptoms, staff is permitted in the building to work or teach from their classrooms or office,” Meyer said. “Teachers have an option of teaching from home or from their classroom.”

IPS also canceled all athletic events until further notice.

Marquette prisoners transferred

Chris Gautz, a spokesman with the Michigan Department of Corrections, said on Friday that about 240 prisoners at Marquette Branch Prison, all at Level 1, were transferred Wednesday to the Newberry Correctional Facility to deal with the MBP staff shortage amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Gautz said the transfers were part of a larger effort to reduce the number of staff needed at MPB.

“The staffing is so short right now because of COVID,” Gautz said.

He pointed out that about a third of MBP staff are unable to work due to being positive for COVID-19 or having to be off because of possible exposure.

Among the measures taken are some staff being reassigned to fill in gaps. With the Level 1 prisoners gone, its housing units can be closed temporarily, as well as one chow hall.

Gautz said 60 prisoners who remain at the prison work in a chow hall, have other duties or will be paroled soon.

He also said it will be 10-14 days before someone can return to MPB, assuming they are COVID-free with no symptoms.

To deal with the increased number of inmates, 140 prisoners at Newberry were transferred to the Central Michigan Correctional facility in downstate St. Louis, which had available space, Gautz noted. In the meantime, the MBP inmates at Newberry will be isolated.

According to MDOC data as of Thursday, a total of 974 MBP inmates have been tested, with 182 confirmed positive cases. A total of 85 staff have tested positive.

UPHS numbers reported

The state of Michigan has issued the latest numbers for its patient COVID-19 census.

The Upper Peninsula Health System has 18 patients, with five in the intensive care unit as of Thursday, according to www.michigan.gov/coronavirus. The state also reported a bed occupancy rate of 81.40% at UPHS. The bed occupancy rate is the percentage of staffed inpatient beds occupied by any patient regardless of COVID-19 status, and includes surge or overflow beds.

Emergency rules signed

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed emergency rules to clarify workers’ compensation coverage for health care employees and first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The emergency rules apply to workers in the medical industry, including hospitals, medical care facilities and emergency medical services, as well as law enforcement, fire safety and others. These employees are presumed eligible for compensable personal injuries under the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, either by a physician or as the result of a presumed positive test result.

“These brave men and women have been on the front lines of this pandemic, putting themselves at risk to protect our families,” Whitmer said in a statement. “These emergency rules will provide some crucial support for these workers who are most susceptible to contracting COVID-19.”

Whitmer concurred with the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director’s finding that issuance of emergency rules was necessary to protect public health, and the rules are effective immediately.

“While employees in Michigan must be covered by workers’ compensation and may file a claim for benefits if injured at work, these rules will help ensure that those closest to the virus won’t be fighting for benefits if they’re also faced with fighting COVID-19,” said Sean Egan, LEO deputy director of labor, in a news release.

These emergency rules replace protections previously afforded by Executive Order 2020-128, which is no longer in effect as a result of the Michigan Supreme Court’s finding that the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 is unconstitutional. They are effective through March 20.

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