BROWN COUNTY – Brown County Public Health, De Pere Health Department and Oneida Community Health Services announced Wednesday, March 18 there is a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brown County.
This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the area.
This individual traveled domestically and developed symptoms.
The individual has remained under self-quarantine as requested by local, state and federal recommendations and will continue to be in isolation as recommended by the Department of Health Services guidelines.
“We have been jointly preparing and anticipating a confirmed case in Brown County,” said Ann Steinberger, acting Brown County Public Health Officer. “We will work closely with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to ensure we are taking the appropriate next steps to ensure our community is safe and well.”
The joint health departments, DHS and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responsibilities include:
• Identifying and contacting anyone who has been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19. These people are asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. People who develop symptoms will be tested for COVID-19.
• Providing guidance to clinicians regarding testing.
• Preparing Brown County for community spread of COVID-19.
Health departments are keeping track of this outbreak.
If someone has been exposed, Public Health will directly contact that individual.
Departments are working with local, state and federal partners to act quickly and effectively when they identify individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around people who have been infected with COVID-19.
Michelle Myers, Interim Public Health Officer for Oneida Community Health Services, reiterated how crucial it is, now more than ever, to practice social distancing.
“Every person in our community plays a role in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Myers said. “We are all responsible as residents of our respective communities to monitor our own health and act accordingly.”
The health departments want everyone to know that while the risk of getting the illness remains low, people should follow simple steps to avoid getting sick, including:
• Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Stay home when sick.
• Practice social distancing.
• Avoid large public gatherings and crowds.
“We are all prepared to deal with an increased number of cases,” said Debbie Armbruster, De Pere Health Officer. “We will continue to work with DHS, the CDC, and our local partners to make sure our community remains safe and healthy,”