Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne released the following statement after the first COVID-19 death was reported in Sheboygan county on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health was notified of our county’s first death associated with COVID19.
“Today is a somber day for all of us in Sheboygan County,” said County Administrator Adam Payne. “We are all in this fight together against COVID19, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of the individual who has passed.”
As we navigate through this hard and trying time, Sheboygan County continues to work diligently with local, state, and national partners to coordinate our response to COVID19. “Our health care professionals and emergency responders are on the front lines, and we must do all we can to support them,” Administrator Payne said. As a part of this effort, Payne said clear and credible communication to the public and our community partners is essential. To that end, the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health has been providing daily, verified and comprehensive updates to the community. You can find these updates posted on the County website, the County’s Public Health Facebook page and you can also subscribe to our COVID19 Email Alerts list on the website as well.
“As we see the cases of COVID19 in Sheboygan County continue to rise we can’t stress enough theimportance of coming together as a Sheboygan County community, and remain vigilant in taking the steps necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Division of Public Health Manager, Starrlene Grossman. Those steps include:
● Wash your hands frequently
● Cover your coughs and sneezes
● Avoid touching your face
● Stay safer at home
● Limit your exposure to others
● Practice social distancing
Grossman said that even with all of us striving to implement Safer at Home, and taking recommended precautions, it will likely be several weeks before we are able to start to see results. This is because of the lag time between infection, symptom onset, and testing result. The positive case numbers you’re seeing today and in the near term are likely people who were infected before we started Safer at Home. “Please don’t get discouraged. We must remain vigilant and continue to do everything we can together to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Grossman said. Keeping our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed is key in order to care for the sick and give people the best chance to recover. Social distancing to effectively flatten the curve is essential.
This health crisis can make anyone anxious or even depressed. Please do not hesitate to call 800-985-5990 to speak to a trained crisis counselor or text TalkWithUS to 66747. While you may not be able to be in the same room with your support system, you can still call or video chat with them.
Payne said that everyone must be part of the solution. “With all of us doing our part, staying at home as much as possible, and being mindful and considerate of others, we will get through this.”
If you have questions, you may call the County Health and Human Services Department Division of Public Health during business hours (Monday-Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm) at 920-459-0321.
