BESSEMER, HANCOCK, L’ANSE, ONTONAGON – Effective immediately, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) is limiting some non-essential services in order to divert staff to COVID-19 response activities and limit general traffic within facilities. Clinic services will be by appointment only and home visits will be temporarily suspended. Environmental health programs can be accessed online at www.wuphd.org.

“Our goal is to continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable of our population as we ramp up or response efforts,” Kate Beer, Health Officer for the WUPHD says. “Please call your local health department office if you have individual questions regarding services or WIC benefits.”

To date, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the five counties covered by the WUPHD. Individuals with symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath that have traveled in the last 14 days or that have been exposed to someone else who has these symptoms, should call their health care provider first with questions before seeking care.

Community members are encouraged to boost local mitigation efforts by practicing good, basic hygiene tactics like frequent handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces, avoiding touching your face, and staying home when ill. Businesses are also encouraged to review their emergency plans in the event that employees need to work from home or are unable to work due to illness.

WUPHD is working to coordinate the response with federal, state, and local officials, as well as community organizations. For more information, please contact the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department call center at (906) 487-5545.