by Kevin Zimmermann
———PROGRESS REPORT———
The progress of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sheboygan County is marked with expansion in all aspects; Number of cases, increasing limits on activities and access, and increasing demands on a public health system never before tested like this.
Thursday’s issue from the Sheboygan County Division of Pubic Health shows that Sheboygan County accounts for 20 of the State total of 1,730 incidents of COVID-19. 12 of those cases remain active; 7 have recovered and one person fell victim to the disease on Wednesday morning. The victim was only identified as having been 60+ years of age and a resident of Sunny Ridge. 172 persons tested were negative for the coronavirus
——-LONG TERM AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES——-
As the deceased was a resident of Sunny Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation, surveillance and protective measures against the disease in Long-Term Care facilities, Assisted Living facilities, Facilities Serving People with Developmental Disabilities and other residential facilities have been heightened. Public Health will immediately begin follow-up on any known or suspect cases of COVID-19 by actions that include contact tracing, issuance of isolation or quarantine orders as well as return-to-work orders and facilitating the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Any staff with an unprotected exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a formal isolation/quarantine order from Public Health that will span a period 14 days after their last exposure to a confirmed case AND 7 days from the onset of symptoms AND 72 hours post symptom recovery.
Families will be notified by the residential facility if their loved one tests positive, and Public Health will follow up with any family member who may have visited during the infectious period, usually 2 days before symptoms appear.
——-HELP HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS——-
Hospital Sisters Health System St. Nicholas Hospital will accept cloth, hand-made face masks for a limited time now through April 10th from 10 AM till 2 PM. They must satisfy certain specifications. Those and more details can be found in the daily Public Health Update from Sheboygan County Division of Public Health here:
——-COUNTY GOVERNMENT LIMITS ACCESS——-
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the safety of residents and employees, Sheboygan County is limiting access to its facilities. Citizens are asked to call for information, and if you need service in person, you must make an appointment.
Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne said: “These are unprecedented times. We are taking these added precautions to protect the public and our staff. Sheboygan County employees are highly dedicated and continue to serve the community. I’m very proud of our team and grateful for the community’s support.” County Board Chairman Tom Wegner agreed. “We must all be part of the solution and practice social distancing as much as possible.”
You can find important COVID-19 updates and other information posted on the County website, https://www.sheboygancounty.com/departments/departments-f-q/health-and-human-services/public-health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19
