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

ALPENA — One more Alcona County resident has died after being infected with COVID-19, local public health officials said today as the number of Northeast Michigan residents infected with COVID-19 continues to rise.

Public health officials today reported 33 newly infected Northeast Michiganders, including eight Alpena County residents, five Presque Isle County residents, six Montmorency County residents, and 14 Alcona County residents.

That means that, as of today, 1,327 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected, meaning they’d been confirmed infected with COVID-19 but have not recovered or died, and could infect others.

The ongoing uptick in infections comes a day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration extended the state’s partial shutdown to Dec. 20. Dine-in service at bars and restaurants is prohibited, crowd sizes are limited, and high schoolers and college students must learn remotely, under the order.

The interactive graphic below shows active infections in Northeast Michigan over time. Story continues below graphic.

Rogers City followed suit today, extending the closure of city offices until Dec. 20, according to a city press release.

Rogers City residents are still able to pay their bills by leaving payment in a drop box outside of City Hall. City staff are also available by telephone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 989-734-2191.

“We will reassess the closure of this office as we get closer to Dec. 20,” the city’s press release said. “Thank you for your patience as we enter what we hope is the final stretch of the pandemic.”

In Montmorency County, the county building will remain closed to the public. County residents are encouraged to conduct business by telephone, email, mail, or fax, according to a county press release.

The interactive chart below shows cumulative infections, recoveries and deaths in Northeast Michigan over time. Story continues below graphic.

However, employees are still reporting for work there and one-on-one appointments may be allowed at the discretion of the department heads if business cannot be conducted by phone, email, mail or fax.

Meanwhile, the Michigan Education Association, the state’s biggest teachers union, says 76% of its members say serving students without broadband access is a top concern during online learning.

Additionally, 63% were concerned about improving student engagement during virtual learning and 55% listed training on specific virtual learning tools and technology as a top concern.

Flip through the interactive timeline below to see how the coronavirus spread through Northeast Michigan. Story continues below the timeline.

As of today, 121 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection across the state-designated, 18-county health care region that includes Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties, according to state data.

Since the pandemic hit Michigan in mid-March, 1,582 Northeast Michiganders have been infected, according to local public health agencies. Of those, 225 have recovered and 30 have died.

Drive-thru COVID-19 tests

* WHAT: District Health Department No. 4 drive-thru COVID-19 tests

* WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday

* WHERE: Thunder Bay Transportation, 3859 U.S.-23 N. Enter from Hamilton Street.

* COST: Free. A doctor’s referral is not needed.