Young people test positive, contact traces surge, businesses close as Leelanau COVID cases rise

From staff reports

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department reported five new COVID-19 cases in Leelanau County today, all of which are symptomatic and two of which are currently hospitalized.

That makes 25 new cases over the past two weeks (Thursday, June 25—Thursday, July 9), a period that included the Fourth of July weekend. Prior to June 25, and dating back to March when the first Coronavirus case appeared in Leelanau County, the district saw only 17 cases.

Health Department officials note a trend of young people in their late teens and early 20s falling ill. Eight of the 25 new cases are under age 25.

While some of the new cases are linked to visitors traveling from outside of this region, anecdotal evidence suggests that people under age 25 are socializing in larger groups and not wearing masks. The Health Department, which conducts “contact tracing” also notes that some of the new positive cases have interacted with as many as 15-30 people. That’s a marked change from a few weeks ago when COVID-positive individuals were reportedly interacting only with 2-4 others at close proximity.

“When we were in the shelter-in-place situation, when we had a positive case their contacts were just their household contacts,” said health officer Lisa Peacock. “That has increased dramatically since people have been gathering. We’ve seen some cases from people attending weddings, graduation parties and family reunions.”

“It’s a risk with gatherings which we knew would come. But it’s here, and it has a dramatic impact on public health. We expected an uptick this summer. But whenever we see crowds, we worry a little bit.”

Leland, in particular, saw a cluster of Coronavirus cases just before the Fourth of July weekend, which brought larger crowds to Leelanau County. Some of those young people are reportedly employed at local businesses. When they fell ill, and the 10-20 people with whom they were in close contact were forced to quarantine for 14 days, the ripple effect forced several area restaurants to close. Local businesses already struggle to find enough workers during the summer tourism season.

Businesses that have temporarily closed include: the Leland Lodge (which was the site of a confirmed COVID exposure between 4 and 10 p.m. on June 28 and 29); the Leland Country Club (exposed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on June 29, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 30, and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on July 2), and the Streetside Grill in Suttons Bay. Two dock attendants at Leland Harbor were potentially exposed. Other businesses have reduced their hours.

Meanwhile, Traverse City businesses exposed to coronavirus just before the Fourth of July weekend include the YMCA West, The GYM, Dillingers Pub, Bootleggers Bar, Union Street Station, Brady’s Bar, and Cherry Capital Airport.

“These cases can quickly deplete a local workforce,” said Michelle Klein, director of personal health at the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department. “We urge young people to exercise great caution and to avoid big crowds. Wash up, mask up, and keep our distance.”

The increasing cases in the Grand Traverse region has moved the risk level of this area from low risk to medium risk, reported the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department in a press release today. The risk level is determined by the number of cases per million and the percentage of positive tests. The increased risk for a COVID-19 outbreak in this area requires that all skilled long-term care facilities now conduct weekly testing of all residents and staff to ensure that positive cases are quickly identified and isolated.

“We know that this pandemic response will only be effective if EACH person takes their own responsibility seriously,” said health officer Lisa Peacock. “We have seen how this can quickly deplete a local workforce and cause businesses, who have only recently been able to open, to temporarily close again when they lose staff to quarantine and isolation requirements. We must each do our part. We need the help of our entire community to mitigate the risks and keep transmission low.”

“This issue is not going to be fixed by public health or healthcare system alone. This involves personal responsibility.”

An earlier version of this story incorrectly implied that The Early Bird in Leland closed because of COVID. In fact, The Early Bird closed because it didn’t have enough employees to remain open. Also, a diner at the Bluebird restaurant tested positive for COVID a week after dining there, but no Bluebird employees have tested positive. And while dock hands at Leland Harbor were potentially exposed to COVID, none have tested positive. We regret the inaccuracies.