BARAGA COUNTY — The first positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Baraga County, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) announced Thursday. 

The person diagnosed is a man with a recent history of travel. The WUPHD continues to investigate to determine if the man’s case is travel-related and if other people have been in close contact. 

“We will be closely monitoring any individuals who may have had direct, personal contact with the identified case, such as household contacts,” said Kate Beer, health officer at WUPHD. “Additional information will be provided if our investigation reveals any possible lower-risk community exposures. Please remember this is a time for us to support each other and work together to reduce any possible spread of illness in our community.”

The case is the seventh in the five-county area, including four in Gogebic County and two in Houghton County. 

WUPHD is working to coordinate its response with community partners. A local COVID-19 informational call line is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday at (906) 487-5545. Updates are also available at wuphd.org. 

A state informational hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time seven days a week. 

That number is 1 (888) 535-6136. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website at michigan.gov/coronavirus, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.