Health Department of Northwest Michigan

As new COVID cases dip in northern Michigan, positive test rate shows virus is still spreading fast

By Taylor Wizner • Dec 4, 2020

The number of new coronavirus cases reported in northern lower Michigan appears to be falling, after surging to record highs last month.

As COVID cases climb in northern Michigan, residents adapt to new protocols

By Taylor Wizner • Nov 2, 2020

Northwest lower Michigan is seeing a rapid rise in the number of COVID cases. Until recently, the region has largely avoided COVID spikes.

But as temperatures drop, residents are having to shift practices and behavior.

In late May when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted the stay-at-home order for northern Michigan, Traverse City local Tyler Harkert braced for a rush of downstaters.

Health officials want to enforce masking order at Friske Farm Market, but say they can't

By Taylor Wizner • Aug 20, 2020

A northern Michigan health department says it’s struggling to make a local market comply with a state executive order. Now the Antrim County store may have also been a COVID-19 exposure site.

COVID-19 tracker: positive cases and potential exposure sites in NoMI

By Taylor Wizner • Aug 12, 2020

Taylor Wizner / Interlochen Public Radio

State or local health department confirmed COVID-19 cases in northern Michigan:

Last updated September 29, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

New COVID-19 cases discovered in the region, local health officials warn of more possible spread

By Taylor Wizner • Jun 30, 2020

The coronavirus is starting to creep back into northern Michigan.

Michigan is on track for COVID-19 containment, northern Michigan looks even better

By Taylor Wizner • Jun 20, 2020

Update 6/22/20: Northwest Michigan Health Services corrected numbers it shared with IPR.

Chasing COVID-19 Up North

By Taylor Wizner • Jun 3, 2020

There continues to be few new COVID-19 cases reported in northwest lower Michigan. No positive diagnoses were added to the region Tuesday. This weekend, the state only revealed a new diagnosis in Wexford County and two in Otsego County.

Northwest MI businesses must monitor employee health and distancing

By Taylor Wizner • Apr 5, 2020

Health Department of Northwest Michigan Facebook

Local businesses in some northern Michigan counties are now required to screen employees and ensure social distancing measures are taken.

Petoskey Meijer visited by COVID-19 patient, health officials warn

By Taylor Wizner • Apr 1, 2020

Peter Payette / Interlochen Public Radio

Updated 4/2/20 with additional information from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.

People who visited the Meijer in Petoskey two weekends ago may have been minimally exposed to COVID-19, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan says.

Emmet County resident is third COVID-19 death in northern Michigan

By Taylor Wizner • Mar 31, 2020

Linda Stephan / Interlochen Public Radio

An Emmet County resident has died from health issues related to COVID-19, McLaren Northern Michigan announced Tuesday evening.

Second home owners coming up north should ‘shelter in place’ — health officials say

By Taylor Wizner • Mar 26, 2020

Health officials are worried about people traveling up north from downstate and other areas around the country to their second homes.

Many are coming to northern Michigan to hunker down as the COVID-19 disease spreads in cities throughout the United States.

Health officials say they could be bringing the disease with them.

Charlevoix County resident in hospital downstate for coronavirus

By Noelle Riley • Mar 13, 2020

A resident of Charlevoix County is being treated for a presumptive case of COVID-19 at a downstate hospital, according to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.