Monitoring of wastewater in the western Upper Peninsula indicates the area could see another increase in COVID-19 according to the Western U.P. Health Department. The department, along with wastewater monitoring systems as part of a statewide effort to to contain the spread of COVID-19 have been testing local waste water. Routine testing has shown an increasing trend of the COVID-19 virus in Baraga, Bessemer, Houghton, Ironwood, Wakefield,Watersmeet. Chassell, Copper Harbor, Hancock, L’Anse and South Range. Given an increase in the virus in wastewater samples, the health department stresses the importance of vaccination and preventative measures.