COVID-19 Pandemic Update for the Afternoon of April 3rd: 6th Clark County Case; Neillsville Parks Close
Friday, April 3rd, 2020 -- 2:26 PM
COVID-19 UpdateApril 3rd, Afternoon
We have a COVID-19 update for you this afternoon.
The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) is confirming that there is now a sixth positive case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Clark County.
This individual has been linked as having had close contact with four of Clark County’s five other positive cases. The CCHD has conducted an investigation of the newly identified case and has followed-up with others with whom this individual had close contact.
“Over the past few weeks, we have had one instance of COVID-19 that was community spread, meaning that we couldn’t pinpoint who or where the individual got sick from. Our five other cases, however, had all been in close contact with one another at one point. This is why social distancing and following Governor Evers’ Safer At Home Order is so incredibly important. The order was put into place to help protect the public and limit the spread of the disease,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.
It is more important than ever that individuals do not go into public places for anything but the essentials, such as groceries, medicine, gas, and other items needed to maintain a safe home. Shopping trips should be limited to once per week or less and should be done by only one person in the household; entire families should not be out shopping together (if practical). Individuals should also limit their time inside stores, practice social distancing (by maintaining 6 feet or more from other people), and hand wash/sanitize after shopping. Essential travel includes leaving the home only to: purchase essential supplies; seek health care; purchase medical supplies or prescriptions; travel to an essential workplace; or travel to care for a child, dependent, or elderly person.
“COVID-19 is incredibly contagious. To put things into perspective, I would like to remind the public that Wuhan, China [where Coronavirus originated] is over 7,000 miles away from Clark County. The very first confirmed case of COVID-19 was in mid-November, 2019 in Wuhan. In less than 130 days, COVID-19 made its way across entire oceans and continents, and into our backyards. We would be incredibly naïve to think that the virus is going to stop traveling now. We need to do something about it. This is where staying home and social distancing comes in. At this point, it truly does not matter where our positive cases are located in Clark County. If the virus can travel 7,000 miles from China, it can easily travel 60 more miles across the county. People should be practicing social distancing regardless,” added Rebecca Greisen, Health Educator.
Going forward, the CCHD will no longer be doing a press release when each new case is identified. Case counts in Clark County will be updated on the Health Department’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/clarkcohealthdept/ and on the Clark County website https://www.clarkcountywi.com/. For additional updates and resources, residents are encouraged to monitor the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and CDC websites for the latest information and guidance.
On another note, the Neillsville Police Department has stated that the parks within the City of Neillsville are closed until further notice. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Police Chief Jim Mankowski at 715-743-5661.
Taking a look at the state numbers as of this afternoon, the state has 22,377 negative tests, 1,912 positive cases and 37 deaths. Of the positive cases, 487, or 25%, have been hospitalized. Clark County has 6 positive cases and 73 negative. For our neighboring counties, Chippewa has 14 positive cases and 348 negative cases, Eau Claire has 16 positive cases and 666 negative, Jackson has 2 positive and 67 negative, Wood has 2 positive and 201 negative, Marathon has 9 positive and 271 negative and Taylor still has no positive cases and 42 negative. Also, during the state’s press conference this afternoon, the governor announced a new Resilient Wisconsin website, which will help those that may be depressed or alone during this time of self-isolation. He also stated that he called a special session of the legislature for tomorrow with hope they’ll make changes to the April 7th election.
During this COVID-19 crisis, Workforce Resource Inc. continues to serve customers through remote services. To contact a Workforce Resource staff member, call toll free 855-792-5439 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. ??" 4:30 p.m. or email them at [email protected]. Workforce Resource serves 21 counties in West Central and Northern Wisconsin. Services are provided through federal and state programs including FoodShare Employment & Training, Wisconsin Works, Affordable Care Act, Senior Community Services Employment Program, Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, YouthBuild and Independent Living. All program services continue to be available throughout the region. Visit their website at www.workforceresource.org for more information. Also, for farmers or other ag related businesses, Senator Tammy Baldwin’s staff has created a page of resources for farmers. You can find that here: https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/cares/rural
In regards to the election, a federal judge on Friday ordered that Wisconsin officials withhold reporting any results from Tuesday’s election until extended absentee balloting is complete April 13. U.S. District Judge William Conley granted a request from the Wisconsin Elections Commission following his order a day earlier for extended absentee voting. State leaders have been committed to keeping to Tuesday’s election date despite widespread concerns that voters and poll workers are endangered by the coronavirus. Conley on Thursday declined to postpone Wisconsin’s election, but he ordered that people be given an extra six days beyond Election Day for absentee voting. He also blasted state leaders’ decision not to delay the election to protect people’s health but refused to postpone it himself, saying a federal judge shouldn’t act as the state’s health officer. The deadline for voters to get absentee ballots to local clerks had been 8 p.m. on Tuesday, but Conley’s order shifted that to 4 p.m. on April 13. Conley also extended the deadline for voters to request ballots by a day to 5 p.m. Friday.
Again, Wisconsin is under a “Safer at Home” order, which askses all residents to avoid unnecessary travel. You can still go to the grocery store or pharmacy, get gas, get dinner from a local business, work in the yard, walk the dog, ride a bike, etc.; just practice social distancing when you do so.
Finally, as we continue to mention, 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. Our numbers are climbing, but state officials have said that things would be much worse if the governor hadn’t issued the “Safer at Home” order. The methods are working. We just need to keep following the guidance of the CDC and the state so 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.