by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) – Another day, and another case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Sheboygan County. With Thursday’s update from the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health, the total number of confirmed positive cases of the coronavirus rose by one to 39. Another case has recovered, keeping the active case tally at 10. 3 persons remain hospitalized, compared to 4 yesterday. Another 10 tests have returned negative for a total of 615 in the county. The latest positive return was from a person between ages 40 and 59. Statewide, 3,875 persons have now been confirmed positive for COVID-19, an increase of 154 since yesterday.
Governor Evers today ordered the Department of Health Services to extend the “Safer at Home” order to be in effect until May 26th, the day after Memorial Day. The original order was to have expired on April 24th. The Governor said: “…we aren’t out of the woods just yet.”, and “…as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you’ve been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”
Secretary-designee of the Wisconsin DHS Andrea Palm added: “Before we lift Safer at Home, the steps of testing and more robust public health measures must be in place. These steps will help us reduce the risk of a second wave of the virus. If we open up too soon, we risk overwhelming our hospitals and requiring more drastic physical distancing measures again.”
The changes in the order go into effect on April 24th and remain in effect until 8 AM on May 26th, 2020.
Some changes were instituted with the extension, those being:
Public libraries may now provide curb-side pick-up of books and other materials.
Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Non-essential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
Arts and Craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment.
Aesthetic or optional exterior lawn care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.
Other changes include:
Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
Local Health officials may close public parks and open spaces if it becomes too difficult to ensure social distancing or the areas are being mistreated.
People are strongly encouraged to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not travel out-of-state if it is not necessary.
Tribal Nations are sovereign and can impose their own restrictions.
Sheboygan County DHS reiterated that the best known strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to limit physical contact between people, and so it’s important to continue the policies emplaced by both Wisconsin’s “Safer at Home” order, and by Federal initiatives.
