• Winnebago County COVID-19 Cases:
• Positive: 5
• Negative: 48
• Pending: 52

• State of Wisconsin COVID-19 Cases (As of 2pm on 3/19/20):
• Positive: 206
• Negative: 3455
• Deaths: 3
• More information: DHS website

• For current national case counts, visit the CDC website.

• The goal of our Situation Updates are to keep our community and organizations up to date with new COVID-19 developments and resources. These updates are distributed as needed, as information is made available to us. Going forward, we will be reporting new case counts on our website, and the Situation Updates will continue to be sent as new guidance or resources are announced. If some days you do not receive a Situation Update, this does not mean we are not tracking the situation, this simply means that there is no new guidance or resources to report. Our website remains a great resource for the community, as well as the CDC and DHS websites.

• Governor Tony Evers released Emergency Order #8 which maintains the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people and indefinite school closures, but includes important changes and clarifications. This includes a closure of hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, tattoo parlors, body art establishments and tanning facilities effective 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20.

• Gov. Evers urges the public to help keep our healthcare workers safe

• GO Transit is still operating, however it should only be used if absolutely necessary (employment, shopping, medical and other necessary appointments). Social rides are strongly discouraged. Based on the order of social distancing, riders should spread out as far as possible while on the bus. Additionally, all riders, except those with mobility issues and/or devices or those needing additional assistance should board at the front door and exit using the back door. 

• Spring has finally arrived! As long as you are still practicing social distancing, it's okay to go outside. Go for a walk. Play with the kids in the backyard. Get a head start on your outdoor spring cleanup. Just be mindful of others and keep your distance. Enjoy the outdoors but do it in a fairly isolated, conservative fashion. Don’t stop to talk to others and be mindful not to touch railings, share a tennis ball or play on community playground equipment.

• Taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty

• Starting Monday, March 23, in-person visits to DMV service centers will be limited to appointment-only to issue new driver licenses and ID cards. Use the DMV Driver License Guide to make your appointment. Click here for a listing of online DMV services.

• New DHS Recommendations for: Long-Term Care Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities / Dental Health Care Providers

• New printable flyers for businesses, stores, correctional facilities, etc.
• COVID-19 Shopping Tips
• COVID-19 Tips for Staying Safe in a Group Setting

• The Aging and Resource Center of Winnebago County has a robust directory of community resources and programs for older adults, those with disabilities, family and caregivers and professionals in the field.

• CDC released recommendations for community facilities with suspected/confirmed COVID-19. These guidelines are focused on community, non-healthcare facilities (e.g., schools, institutions of higher education, offices, daycare centers, businesses, community centers) that do and do not house persons overnight. These guidelines are not meant for cleaning staff in healthcare facilities or repatriation sites, households, or for others for whom specific guidance already exists.

• WEDC announced targeted grants to small businesses suffering losses due to COVID-19. $5 million in funding was approved for the Small Business 20/20 (SB20/20) program which will provide grants up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and to meet payroll expenses, including paid leave (including sick, family and other leave related to COVID-19). Visit the WEDC COVID-19 page for additional resources available to Wisconsin businesses from WEDC and other local, state and federal agencies. In addition, on March 18, Gov. Evers requested for economic injury disaster loan assistance for small businesses.

• DATCP released guidance related to Gov. Tony Evers’ emergency order for mass gatherings issued on March 17 for operators of campgrounds and hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts.

• What about funerals? Funeral services consisting of 10 or more people held in a single room or single confined or enclosed space are subject to the 6 ft. social distancing guidance as well as the public health recommendations (sanitizing, not showing up if you are ill, etc.) issued by DHS. Funeral services held outdoors are exempt. However, voluntary limitations on size of gathering beyond the requirements of the emergency order are permitted and encouraged to protect the health and safety of all.

• The Oshkosh Area United Way has gathered a list of community resources including a link for diaper requests, business resources and Fox Valley Job Centers

• CDC encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able. CDC is supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors and staff safe. Examples of these recommendations include spacing donor chairs 6 feet apart, thoroughly adhering to environmental cleaning practices, and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time. Find out where you can donate: The Community Blood Center / American Red Cross

• Gov. Evers Waived Work Search and Modified Availability Requirements for Unemployment Benefits

• REMINDER: Call your healthcare provider before going into a clinic if you are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. This will allow them to provide guidance, prepare ahead if you need to be seen, and minimize risk to others.

• Everyone who needs a COVID-19 test will have access to a test, but not everyone that wants a test will be tested. Testing is limited to the highest priority patients and health care workers. The number of samples being received at labs exceeds daily capacity. Testing is not recommended for people with mild, upper respiratory symptoms. It is recommended that these individuals self-isolate at home until their symptoms improve.

• Check your school district's website for free lunch and breakfast options available during COVID-19 school closures. Some are linked below:
• Neenah Joint School District
• Menasha Joint School District
• Omro District
• Oshkosh Area School District
• Winneconne Community School District

• Check your local resources for the latest schedule and closure updates, some are listed below:
• Winnebago County / Clerk of Courts
• City of Oshkosh
• City of Neenah
• City of Menasha / Menasha Health Department
• UW-Oshkosh
• Oshkosh Northwestern
• Appleton Post Crescent

• Updates from local healthcare provider networks:
• Advocate Aurora Health
• ThedaCare
• Ascension Wisconsin
• Children's Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley

• CDC has recommended voluntary home quarantine for U.S. residents who have traveled to domestic locations and countries with widespread sustained transmission of COVID-19. These recommendations are rapidly changing.

• If guidance is needed for returning travelers, please call the Winnebago County Health Department hotline (920-232-3026).

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If you do not have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Cough or sneeze into an elbow if no tissue is available. Wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe.
• Click here for additional guidance from the CDC

• Investigations in Wisconsin (county specific case information is not available at this time)
• The latest Situation Report from DHS, published on March 13, 2020
• COVID-19 cases in the United States
• The CDC released actions for protecting communities from COVID-19. It includes mitigation strategies for specific groups including individuals, schools, assisted living facilities, businesses, community organizations and healthcare providers.
• Full library of print resources for schools, businesses, etc. from the CDC
• Winnebago County Health Department's website - resources specific to the general public, healthcare providers, businesses, community organizations, schools and first responders.
• Wisconsin Departmetn of Children and Families
• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak. Learn what you can do to prepare your home and family.
• WCHD general public topics - resources for behavioral health care, managing expenses, etc.
• Wisconsin.gov website for the public to access information from multiple state agencies