Northern Michigan Casino among possible COVID-19 exposure sites: Health Department

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has warned that people who visited Odawa Casino in Petoskey on Friday last week could have been exposed to COVID-19 as a person who tested positive for the deadly corona virus revealed that he had visited the same casino on that day.

The health department also declared that the person who tested positive for corona virus had visited two other high traffic locations on May 29, namely Pine Squirrel Bar and Grill in Gaylord and Paul’s Pub in Gaylord. The person, while contagious, was present in the Odawa Casino from 2 pm to 5 pm, and visited Pine Squirrel Bar and Grill and Paul’s Pub from 5 pm to 7 pm and from 7pm to 9 pm, respectively.

Thus, there may have been low-risk exposure to the potentially deadly virus for all those people who might have visited any of the above-mentioned locations on last Friday. The health department issued the public notice because they could not identify all those with whom the infected person had come into close contact.

Lisa Peacock, a public health officer with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, said, “We understand this is an exciting time to return to public spaces as the weather gets warmer. However, this situation is a reminder that we must continue to be vigilant and focus on what each of us can do to protect ourselves and those around us.”

Issuing the warning, the health department urged people to stay at home if they are feeling sick, stressing that they must be aware of the fact that some people who test positive for corona virus show no symptoms. The department also urged people to make sure they wear face masks and strictly follow hygiene and social distancing guidelines. As per the guidelines, one should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others, use disinfecting wipes or spray cleaners to clean frequently-touched surfaces and carry hand sanitizer when during visits to public places like stores and casinos. Any person who develops corona virus symptoms should immediately call primary care physician for testing. In such a situation, one can also contact the state health department at 1-800-432-4121.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowed bars and restaurants to reopen under a string of strict restrictions on May 22, and Odawa Casino resumed operations on Friday, May 29. Much of the state remains under a stay-at-home order through 12th of June.