MANISTIQUE — A state of emergency has been declared in Schoolcraft County. The declaration, which was announced Thursday, is in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the county.

Over the past two weeks, there has been an 87.5 percent increase in positive COVID-19 cases (90 cases versus 48 cases in the prior two-week period). Schoolcraft county also has an 11 perecent positivity rare and 754 weekly cases per 100,000 people — more than 7.5 times greater than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk threshold for its “high risk” category.

Earlier in the week, the surge prompted Manistique Area Schools to move to virtual instruction due to the high rate of transmission within school buildings. Online-only education will continue until Oct. 11.

Under the declaration signed by Schoolcraft County Board ­Chairman Paul Walker, response and recovery elements of the county’s emergency operations plan have been activated. In addition to local resources, the declaration requests state assistance through personal protective equipment, possible support staff and/or funding to manage the COVID-19 response, economic recovery resources and possible mental health support counseling for affected members of the community.

The emergency declaration was immediately effective and is set to expire within seven days but could be continued for a period not to exceed 28 days.

The last COVID-19 related declaration of emergency in Schoolcraft County was declared on March 17, 2020 and was rescinded in May of 2021.