by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) – Friday’s progress report on the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health shows a steady growth in the disease locally. While only one resident – a male in the Over-60 age group – has succumbed to the illness, the potential for more can’t be dismissed, and one person remains hospitalized. 21 cases have been identified so far. 11 are still active and 9 have recovered. 198 persons who were tested came back negative for the coronavirus. More than 70 percent of cases occurred to those age 60 and up, about 10 percent to those 40-59, and around 20 percent were between the ages of 20 and 39.
The deceased was a resident of Sunny Ridge, where the other residents and staff are being closely monitored for COVID-19. No visitors are allowed there or at Rocky Knoll – a County owned and operated facility. On Thursday, County Government tightened access to most facilities and closed the County Detention Center and Jail to visitors. Appointments are needed for in-person meetings with county offices.
Public Health reiterated policies including Wisconsin’s “Safer At Home” emergency order and federal directives aimed at enforcing “social distancing” of at least 6 feet between persons and even then, gatherings must be limited to 10 or less.
As the stresses from the crisis mount for front-line workers such as the health care and related industries, as well as on the public at large avoiding the infection, support resources are in demand. The State Department of Health Services has opened a webpage called Resilient Wisconsin, where links to deal with those stresses and locate more information can be accessed.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/resilient/index.htm
The County DPH also included the following in its release:
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting changes to our lifestyles, can make anyone anxious or even depressed. Do not hesitate to ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. 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.
