March 25th Afternoon COVID-19 Update; First Confirmed Clark County Case
Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 -- 2:51 PM
COVID-19 UpdateMarch 25th, Afternoon
We have a COVID-19 update for you this afternoon.
The Clark County Health Department is confirming that one person in Clark County has tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
The individual is currently isolated at home. County health officials are working to determine how the person may have become infected and is contacting individuals with whom the patient had close contact with.
“The best thing that Clark County residents can do is to follow Governor Evers’ Safer At Home Order. All Clark County residents and Wisconsinites should stay at home as much as possible. This is in addition to taking standard precautions and practicing good health habits�"including covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands often. The COVID-19 situation is continuously evolving. We encourage residents to monitor the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for the latest information and guidance,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you think that you may have COVID19, you should stay home, practice self-isolation, and call your medical provider�"do not go directly to a hospital or clinic without first calling. Emergency lines should be reserved only for those needing emergency medical attention. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals should practice everyday prevention measures like: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Carry and use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol if hand washing is not an option. Do not touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.). Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Do not share eating utensils, water bottles, beverages, or other personal items. Stay home. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
“The Clark County Health Department will continue to monitor and will follow-up with individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We will also continue to work with the Wisconsin DHS and our local healthcare providers to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Additional information will be released through the media as it becomes available,” Mews added.
Just a reminder, Gov. Tony Evers issued a “Safer at Home” order Tuesday closing businesses deemed to be nonessential, ordered no gatherings of any size and placed restrictions on travel across Wisconsin for a month in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Evers’ order has numerous exceptions, including for hospitals and other health care facilities, grocery stores, bars and restaurants offering delivery and carry out food, airports and other businesses offering essential services. The order takes effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday and is to run through April 24, but could be altered, ended or extended.
As the Governor mentioned, Wisconsin residents will be able to go to the doctor and obtain medicine, leave home to care for family members and obtain necessary food and supplies, including pet food. Other businesses allowed to remain open include pharmacies, gas stations, banks, laundries and dry cleaners, hardware stores, churches, funeral homes and media outlets. And again, you can leave your homes and go for walk, work in the yard, ride a bike, walk the dog, etc, but practice social distancing when you do. Governor Evers said one of the main reasons why he’s asking people to take this seriously is so we don’t infect our healthcare workers and don’t overwhelm our healthcare system.
Now, to clear up some confusion, there has been a lot of false information going around on Facebook. The Governor has issued the “Safer at Home” Order, but that doesn’t mean we are under Martial Law. As of now, there is no nationwide lockdown or quarantine coming. There is no Martial Law. You don’t need a permit to leave your home. You don’t have to worry about the authorities kicking in your door to make sure you’re complying with the order. Police are not pulling people over and asking to see documents to confirm you’re doing essential travel. And yes some National Guard members have been activated in the state, but all they’re doing is providing food and water where needed, transporting medical supplies and tests and other items.
When you’re looking for information, please make sure you’re getting your information from reputable news sources and take anything you see on Facebook with a large grain of salt. Verify the facts before you share the story or take it as gospel.
Now, taking a look at some state numbers, as of this afternoon, Wisconsin has 10,089 negative cases, 585 positive cases and 6 deaths. Health and Human Services Designee Andrea Plam said that even though the numbers seem low, if we continue on the path we’re on, we could have over 22,000 people infected as soon as April 8th with anywhere from 800-1,000 deaths.
Finally, just a reminder, people need to take this seriously. This falls on all of us. If people don’t take this seriously, things are going to get much worse. As it has been stated, we could see over 22,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 by April 8th if we continue on our current path. The sooner you follow the guidance of the CDC and the state, the sooner we can get Wisconsin back open for business and get things back to normal. But you must take this seriously. We must put aside petty partisan politics and work together. This is a trying time, but we will get through it with the right mindset and if we work together and help each other along during these difficult times. If there’s anything we can do at Central Wisconsin Broadcasting to help, please reach out. We have many resources available to you on our website and Facebook page and were happy to answer your questions. If we can’t, we can put you in touch with someone that can. But above all, stay calm, buy your groceries one week at a time like always and take care of yourself.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.