ONTONAGON — Ontonagon County recorded its first COVID-19 death, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department confirmed Saturday.

The elderly person had been an inpatient at an Upper Peninsula Hospital, the WUPHD said in a release. There have been 26 COVID-19 deaths in the WUPHD’s five-county area.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends who have lost their loved one,” WUPHD Health Officer Kate Beer said in a release. “COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to our friends and families.”

WUPHD reminds people to avoid close contact with people outside of their household; even people with mild or no symptoms can spread the virus. For protection, people should wear a mask, wash their hands and maintain a 6-foot distance, the WUPHD said.

On Friday, the WUPHD identified the Citizens State Bank of Ontonagon as a potential exposure site for COVID-19. Dates are from Oct. 16 through Oct. 28.

Exposure could have occurred at the site or several days later from close contact with someone who had been there, the WUPHD said. Longer exposure heightens the risk of catching COVID-19. Symptoms typically appear within two to 14 days of exposure.

The WUPHD asks people to call their healthcare provider and inform them of exposure if they have visited the site and are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath or a new loss of taste or smell. For general information, call the WUPHD at (906) 482-7382 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Also, Baraga Area Schools became the latest district to announce a temporary change to remote instruction. The district will close its building starting Monday, with a return date of Nov. 16.

There has been a rise in cases in the area through community spread, the district announced on its website. Baraga County had 107 positive or probable cases as of Thursday, an increase of 22 from Monday. The seven-day average of cases per million people was at 604.5 Thursday, up from 218.3 a week earlier.

Cases are also occurring in the district. Three middle/high school students were reported as probable cases last week. Two elementary school staff tested positive, while other staff were classified as close contacts.

“We feel that this is the best for our students, staff and the community in order to keep everyone safe,” Superintendent Richard Sarau said on the district’s website. “This will give the health department time to do a more thorough investigation of contact tracing. It will also allow us time to do a deep clean of the building.”