Northern Michigan casino identified as possible coronavirus exposure site

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MANISTEE, MI – One of Michigan’s popular casinos has been named a possible coronavirus exposure site by health officials.

Anyone who visited Little River Casino Resort in Manistee between Oct. 2-4 is asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from the possible exposure date, according to a news release issued by the District Health Department No. 10, which covers 10 Northern Michigan counties including Manistee.

The announcement comes after a visitor of the casino tested positive for COVID-19 and was potentially contagious while visiting Little River, health officials said. The individual visited the casino over the three day period of Oct. 2-4.

Health officials ask those who are self-monitoring for symptoms to stay away from family, close contacts and roommates as much as possible. Anyone who begins to experience COVID-19 symptoms – which includes fever or chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath – should quarantine and contact local health officials.

Per state orders, Little River requires guests to wear face coverings in all situations except while dining in one of the restaurants, eating or drinking a beverage on the gaming floor, while in a hotel room or to smoke in designated smoking areas.

The casino began implementing stricter policies for face coverings Sept. 7. Bandannas, neck gaiters and masks with valves no longer qualify as acceptable face coverings on the property.

RELATED: Bandannas, neck gaiters no longer acceptable face coverings at Northern Michigan casino

The Michigan Supreme Court recently struck down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic, which included a statewide mask mandate. The state’s emergency statutes, the court found on Oct. 2, didn’t give Whitmer the authority to continue declaring states of emergency or issuing unilateral orders under them past April 30, when her initial declaration would have expired.

But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services stepped in Oct. 5, announcing it would issue orders to replace, or mostly replace, a number of Whitmer’s previous orders. Those emergency public health orders included requiring masks be worn at social gatherings, with two or more people that are from multiple households.

Businesses and government offices are also required to enforce the requirements for gatherings on their premises.

Opened in 1999 with just 600 slot machines, Little River casino has grown to include more than 1,300 slot and video poker machines as well as dozens of table games.

The hotel features 292 rooms, Little River Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.

More on MLive:

Michigan’s health department is switching gears after a game-changing Supreme Court decision

Michigan mink farm tests positive for virus that causes COVID-19 in humans

Bars open and restrictions for crowd sizes among new COVID-19 requirements in MDHHS orders

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