COVID-19 Pandemic Update for the Afternoon of April 9th: State Numbers, Local Ascension Testing Site, Financial Help, Dairy Far
Thursday, April 9th, 2020 -- 2:08 PM
COVID-19 UpdateApril 9th, Afternoon
We have a COVID-19 update for you this afternoon.
Taking a look at the state numbers as of this afternoon, the state has 31,424 negative tests, 2,885 positive cases and 111 deaths. Of the positive cases, 843, or 29%, have been hospitalized. Clark County has 7 positive cases and 90 negative. For our neighboring counties, Chippewa has 17 positive cases and 500 negative cases, Eau Claire has 21 positive cases and 949 negative, Jackson has 7 positive and 98 negative, Wood has 2 positive and 237 negative, Marathon has 12 positive and 334 negative and Taylor still has no positive cases and 51 negative.
Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin has opened its 7th drive-through testing location in central and northern Wisconsin for COVID-19. As of Wednesday, April 8, drive-through testing is now available from 9 a.m. - Noon Monday - Friday at Ascension Our Lady of Victory - Owen. Ascension Medical Group previously launched drive-through testing locations in Tomahawk, Woodruff, Plover, Stevens Point, Rhinelander and Crandon. Additional locations are in development if needed to meet the expected surge of COVID-19 cases. Individuals who wish to be tested at drive-through locations must first be pre-screened by an Ascension Medical Group provider by appointment or virtually using Ascension Online Care. Those interested in drive-through testing in Owen can call 715-644-5530 for appointment options. Ascension Online Care is available at: ascension.org/OnlineCare. This screening involves a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will schedule an appointment for drive-through testing at the appropriate site.
At the testing site, patients will remain in their vehicle at all times. An Ascension associate will look up the patient’s information in the electronic health record to confirm that they have been screened and require testing. Insurance information will be collected for follow-up purposes, if it’s not already entered into the electronic health record. An Ascension associate will confirm that the patient has an established Ascension provider. There is no upfront charge for the testing. Nasal swab samples will be collected and sent to a state-approved laboratory for analysis. Patients will be provided this information at the time of testing and instructed to return home and self-isolate for 14-days. Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin will contact patients with results and positive results will be alerted to the Wisconsin Department of Health. “We continue to collaborate closely with local and state health officials to ensure that community members experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested for the virus, while limiting exposure to keep the health and safety of our patients and associates as a top priority,” said Dr. Stewart Watson, North Region Clinical Vice President, Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin. “These drive-through locations will help expand testing capabilities to the communities we serve.”
According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms seen with the infection with COVID-19 are not specific, with cold-like symptoms in mild cases. Symptoms could include a fever, along with cough and shortness of breath. If someone is elderly or has other medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or cancer, they may get sicker from the virus and develop pneumonia or other lung problems. For more information on COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov. There also is an Ascension COVID19 Hotline set up for those who have general questions about COVID-19. The toll-free number for Wisconsin is 1-833-981-0711. Access to COVID-19 online information from Ascension, including an online assessment tool is available: https://healthcare.ascension.org/COVID-19.
The Clark County Economic Development Corporation is asking you to take time to fill out a survey regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of WEDC, DWD, UW Oshkosh Center for Customized Research & Services, and local partners, the CCEDC and Momentum West ask you to take the Statewide COVID-19 Pandemic Economic Survey by April 10 which will be used to measure the economic loss and to assist in future recovery efforts, as this COVID-19 pandemic plays out across Wisconsin. The results will be available at the county, region, and state levels. Please don’t hesitate to contact them should you have any questions. The survey link is uwo.sh/covid-19-econ-disruption. Also, don’t forget to check with the Small Business Development Center as they have many resources available to help businesses out during this time. Through the Small Business Administration, they have grants and loans available for businesses, some that can be forgiven. They can also help you navigate the process. You can find out more by heading to the SBDC’s website at https://wisconsinsbdc.org/services/covid-19/ or you can call them 715-836-5902.
Also, the Clark County Extension Office has provided information if a dairy farmer may need to dump milk. The information discusses dumping milk for landspreading. If you have questions, please email [email protected] or call their office at 715-743-5121. Here are the links to information https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/covid19/2020/04/08/considerations-for-landspreading-millk/ AND
https://ipcm.wisc.edu/download/pubsNM/UW-LandspreadingMilkConsiderations2020.pdf
In an effort to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, additional mitigation measures for all campgrounds within the county’s jurisdiction are necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of the virus. Brittany Mews, Health Officer of the Clark County Health Department is authorized under state law to do what is reasonable and necessary for the prevention and suppression of disease and thereby has ordered that all campgrounds in Clark County follow this Public Health Order. Effective today April 9, 2020, all campgrounds will remain closed through May 14, 2020. Campgrounds will not take new reservations for dates prior to June 1, 2020.
The rationale for the decision to delay the opening of campgrounds in Clark County aligns with Wisconsin Governor Evers’ Emergency Order #12: Safer at Home Order and includes the following reasons reduces non-essential travel; reduces shopping at local stores in our county for supplies and groceries; reduces drawing people from outside of our county to be in our county; reduces the probability for the congregating of groups greater than 9 people; to protect the health and physical safety of campground employees; to prevent potential exposures for staff and the public within shared toilets, laundry, and shower facilities; and to reduce the stress on law enforcement required to enforce the State’s Emergency Order. Now is the time to ensure that actions are taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Clark County. Community cooperation with all Safer At Home emergency orders in our county will reduce disease transmission and return our county to normal routines sooner, rather than later. This Public Health Order shall expire at midnight on Thursday May 14, 2020 unless extended per the authority of the Clark County Health Department.
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. 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. We must put aside petty 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 we’re happy to answer your questions. If we can’t, we can put you in touch with someone that can. But above all, stay calm, take care, buy your groceries one week at a time and continue to follow health expert guidelines.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.