Update on COVID-19 Outbreak from Clark County Health Department
Friday, March 13th, 2020 -- 1:05 PM
-The Clark County Health Department, along with the Clark County Emergency Management Department, had released updated information on the COVID-19 virus.The release states:
Governor Evers declared a Public Health Emergency for the entire state of Wisconsin due to the recent Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak across the United States. To date, no cases have been confirmed in Clark County. However, the situation may change, so sharing of this information is important.
What Does This Mean?
Person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 is occurring in a growing number of regions worldwide. Efforts need to be made to reduce the risk of transmission to limit the spread of the disease. Mass gatherings and large community events bring people from multiple communities into close contact with each other, which has the potential to increase COVID-19 transmission. One method to slow the spread of COVID-19, is to increase social distancing (reducing close contact with others). There is evidence from scientific literature that limiting the size and number of mass gathering events is an effective tool for preventing the spread of disease.
What Does This Mean for Schools?
At this time the Clark County Health Department (CCHD), with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), is NOT recommending closing schools.
Are There Gathering Restrictions?
There are important considerations for essential gatherings. Essential gatherings include health care facilities, schools, most routine business operations, manufacturing, and government meetings. While in operation, these facilities should use extra precaution to reduce the potential for the spread of disease. Based on possible changes in the COVID-19 situation, additional restrictions may become necessary and put into place at the authority of local public health officials.
Mass gatherings during an outbreak of an infectious disease such as COVID-19 have the potential to result in large numbers of ill people that can quickly overwhelm local hospitals and clinics. By implementing limitations on mass gatherings, DHS is intending to slow the spread of this disease to a level such that the healthcare system is able to maintain quality care for patients.
Large Gatherings: The recommendation of the CCHD, based on guidance received by DHS, is to cancel or postpone all non-essential gatherings of over 250 people.
DHS and CCHD support the decisions of any event organizers that elect to cancel or postpone events with less than 250 attendees in order to protect their communities.
Organizers should consider the following:
Potential for attendance from older adults, individuals with underlying health care conditions, or other vulnerable groups.
Potential for attendance from individuals from a wide range of geographic areas across WI, the United States, or other countries.
The setting of the event, particularly if it involves sustained interaction between attendees in close physical proximity.
Are There Individuals at Greater Risk?
The current outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in significantly more severe illness and deaths for elderly individuals and those with underlying health conditions. In order to protect these most vulnerable members of our communities we strongly recommend these individuals immediately begin to avoid non-essential mass gatherings. We also recommend that those who provide gathering opportunities for older adults, such as senior centers and congregate dining facilities, plan for alternative ways to remain engaged with them in ways that minimize their risk of COVID-19 disease transmission.
Are There Travel Restrictions?
International Travel: Currently the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) and the DHS recommend the following:
All travelers avoid all non-essential travel to China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea (Level 3 Travel Notice)
Older adults and those with chronic conditions avoid travel to Japan (Level 2 Travel Notice)
Travelers practice normal precautions (avoiding contact with sick people, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth, etc.) when traveling to Hong Kong (Level 1 Travel Notice)
Further, CDC and DHS recommend that all travelers, particularly those with underlying health conditions, defer all cruise ship travel worldwide.
Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease, such as non-essential travel and long plane trips.
Additional information on these international travel recommendations is available on the CDC “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” webpage.
Domestic Travel: Though there are areas within the United States where there is “sustained community transmission” of COVID19, the CDC has NOT issued recommendations related to travel within the United States.
In the absence of such guidance, and with the goal of delaying the onset of sustained community transmission of COVID-19 in WI, DHS recommends the following domestic travel-related measures:
Avoid all non-essential travel to any U.S. state where the CDC deems there is “sustained community transmission” of COVID-19.
As of March 12, 2020, the CDC has determined sustained community transmission is occurring in the states of California, New York, and Washington. This situation is rapidly evolving, and travelers should refer to the list of “States Reporting Cases of COVID-19 to CDC” on the “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) in the U.S.” webpage for the most current list of states where CDC determines that sustained community transmission is occurring: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
For all travelers returning to WI from states where the CDC has determined that sustained community transmission is occurring, DHS recommends that those individuals self-quarantine at home (limit personto-person interactions) for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever and cough).
Who Should Get Tested?
Fever or respiratory symptoms AND in the past 14 days either:
Have had contact with a known COVID-19 case OR traveled to a country with a Level 2 or Level 3 advisory OR to a community with known spread
CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE GOING TO A CLINIC OR HOSPITAL. DO NOT GO TO THE CLARK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
We understand that these recommendations are very difficult for individuals and for communities. Public health officials are doing all they can to try to reduce these impacts and move as quickly and safely as possible. These recommendations will apply for the next 30 days. At the end of this period, or if needed before that point, updated guidance will be provided.
Where Can I Get the Latest Information?
Please refer to the following websites for the latest and official information:
For updates on COVID-19 in WI, visit: ?,? https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/covid-19.html
For updates and travel guidance, visit: ?,? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.