NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP -- Wednesday marked National HIV Testing Day, and the Marquette County Health Department did their part to encourage people to learn their status.
According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, 400 people test positive for HIV each year statewide. They also estimate there are about 19,300 people living with the disease, and about 4,500 of those don't know they have it.
All day across the country, health departments are providing free testing opportunities.
"If people are at risk, if they're in one of the risk categories, we really encourage them to get tested," said HIV/AIDS Coordinator Laura Fredrickson. "Because if you know your status, you can do things to keep yourself healthy, and help reduce the risk of transmitting to someone else."
The Marquette County Health Department offers mouth swab tests and by syringe.
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