Courtesy Image An illustration of the coronavirus provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ALPENA — Local public health officials announced two new public exposure sites today, encouraging the public to monitor for symptoms if they visited the Red Brick Tap and Barrel in downtown Alpena from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday or Bolton Bar in Posen from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Health officials recommend monitoring for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, for 14 days from the exposure date. If symptoms develop, individuals should immediately quarantine themselves and contact their doctor to consider testing.

Public health officials said family and public gatherings are one of the ways the virus is being spread and that about 40% of COVID-19 cases appear to be asymptomatic. Asymptomatic cases are especially difficult because they are not sick and are not staying home.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a recent loss of taste or smell.

Local health departments have not yet released the latest COVID-19 statistics.