The latest news and resources to help protect yourself!
Portage County implements new crisis standards
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -- A Central Wisconsin county is changing how their handling COVID-19 contact tracing. Portage County Health and Human Services say the county is facing an "unprecedented" surge in positive COVID-19 cases. Due to this, the County is making changes to the contact tracing process. A rel...
Oct 23, 2020
sergio santos / CC
Community COVID-19 testing sites begin in Central Wisconsin
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- Getting a COVID-19 test in Central Wisconsin is becoming more streamlined this week. According to a press release from the Marathon County Health Department multiple weekly community testing sites for COVID-19 have begun this week. The testing sites will be held with the help of the Wisconsin Natio...
Oct 23, 2020
The National Guard / CC
Shock Report - COVID is NOT a Pandemic According to Doctors
Ask these questions. Why does social media not what you to be able to decide for yourself? Why do they censor information? If they have the truth, wouldn't it stand up to lies? Or, do they know they are lying, and their lies cannot stand up to the truth? DR. ELKE DE KLERK: WE DO NOT HAVE A MEDICAL PANDEMIC BREAK...
Oct 19, 2020
Bill Smith / CC
Lincoln County reports 2nd COVID-19 related death
MERRILL, WI (WSAU) -- A second person has died from COVID-19 related causes in Lincoln County. Friday evening the Lincoln County Health Department confirmed a second death associated with COVID-19. The individual was in their 60s and had underlying health conditions. Health Department Director and Health Officer Shelle...
Oct 04, 2020
Yuri Samoilov / CC
School District of Crandon closing schools Friday
CRANDON, WI (WSAU) -- A local school district is closing buildings on Friday due to rising COVID-19 cases. According to a Facebook post, the School District of Crandon on guidance from the Forest County Health Department is closing schools to students on Friday. Extensive contract tracing and a significant increase of ...
Oct 02, 2020
Logo for the School District of Crandon
(Photo courtesy of the School District of Crandon and Facebook)
What You Should Know about COVID-19
CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concernexternal icon” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19.
Info about COVID-19 is courtesy of Centers for Disease Countrol and Prevention.
COVID-19 FAQs
Person-to-Person Spread
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
- It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
- People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
- Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily does the virus spread?
- How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained.
- The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
Suggested Prevention & Treatment
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Should I where a facemask?
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- Everyone should wear a Cloth Face Covering when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
