Michigan's Little River Casino Resort named as possible COVID-19 exposure site

Little River Casino Resort in Manistee has been named a possible coronavirus exposure site by Michigan health officials.

Anyone who visited the property between October 2-4 is asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from the possible exposure date, according to a news release issued by the District Health Department No. 10, which covers 10 Northern Michigan counties including Manistee.

The announcement comes after a visitor of the casino tested positive for COVID-19 and was potentially contagious while visiting Little River, health officials said, as reported by MLive. The individual visited the casino over the three day period of Oct. 2-4.

Health officials ask those who are self-monitoring for symptoms to stay away from family, close contacts and roommates as much as possible. Anyone who begins to experience COVID-19 symptoms should quarantine and contact local health officials.

Per state orders, Little River requires guests to wear face coverings in all situations except while dining in one of the restaurants, eating or drinking a beverage on the gaming floor, while in a hotel room or to smoke in designated smoking areas. The casino began implementing stricter policies for face coverings on September 7. Bandannas, neck gaiters and masks with valves no longer qualify as acceptable face coverings on the property.

Opened in 1999 with just 600 slot machines, Little River casino has grown to include more than 1,300 slot and video poker machines as well as dozens of table games. The hotel features 292 rooms, Little River Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.