|
|
Winnebago County Public Health Department
COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE
April 17, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
|
|
for the health and safety of our family, friends, neighbors and community.
|
|
CONTACT 211
FOR NON-MEDICAL QUESTIONS: TEXT COVID19 TO 211-211 / CALL 211
Assistance finding food - paying for housing bills - accessing childcare - other essential services
|
|
HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOTLINE: 920-232-3026 (M-F 8:15am-4:15pm / SAT-SUN 12-4:30pm)
|
|
COVID-19 Lab Confirmed Cases
|
|
Winnebago County*
(As of 4pm, 4/17/20)
|
|
Wisconsin
(As of 9pm, 4/16/20)
- Positive: 4,045 (+170 from 4/15)
- Negative: 42,365 (+1,391 from 4/15)
- Hospitalizations: 1,153 (+32) or 29%
- Deaths: 205 (+8 from 4/15)
- More information: DHS website
|
|
|
Please note: Case counts do not include patients with COVID-19 symptoms that were not tested. Those with mild symptoms are most often directed to self-monitor at home without testing.
|
|
- Highlights of the COVID-19 bill passed in Wisconsin this week:
- Formally enables Wisconsin to take advantage of $2 billion it was offered as a part of the federal COVID-19 relief bill (CARES Act) to boost the state's Medicaid program.
- Eliminates the waiting week for unemployment benefits, from March 12, 2020 - February 7, 2021. Under the CARES Act, the federal government will pay 100% of the first week of benefits.
- Authorizes DHS to take a number of actions during the emergency, including temporarily suspending monthly BadgerCare premiums for childless adults, that will qualify Wisconsin for enhanced federal medical assistance percentage.
- Allows pharmacists to extend prescriptions.
- Expands SeniorCare to include coverage of vaccinations.
- Loosens licensing and training requirements for several kinds of medical workers, including reducing training hours now required to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
- Health insurance:
- Requires health insurers to cover COVID-19 tests without a patient copayment or coinsurance, beginning on March 13.
- Prohibits insurers from discriminating against people based on a past, current, or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Prohibits insurers from charging patients more for out-of-network care related to COVID-19, as long as their regular provider offers those same services.
- Schools:
- Provides the needed flexibilities to school districts to complete the school year online.
- Lifts annual testing requirements and teacher assessments for public, private and charter schools across the state.
- Allows counties and municipalities to approve waiving interest and penalties on late property tax payments if paid prior to October 1, 2020.
- Eases current restrictions related to the re-hiring of WRS retirees
- Requires the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to submit a plan to the Legislature and governor for supporting industries hurt by the pandemic, including tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and retail
|
|
- Yes, you may feel stress. And yes, you can manage it. Be strong, seek support, and support others in these difficult times. Together we are #ResilientWisconsin. For resources to help manage stress, visit resilient.wisconsin.gov
- COVID-19 symptoms may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, fatigue, aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of smell or loss of taste. For many, symptoms are mild, with no fever. You can still spread the virus even if you have mild or no symptoms.
- REMINDER: Call your healthcare provider before going into a clinic if you are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. This allows them to provide guidance, prepare ahead if you need to be seen, and minimize risk to others.
|
|
|
|
Making a cloth mask is easy!
Check out these quick, simple ways to make a mask.
Staying home, social distancing and hand washing remain the best ways to protect yourself; a cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by keeping people who may have the virus and don't know it from spreading it to others. Masks should not be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
|
|
Q & A
Q: Are auctions essential?
A: Some auctions are essential, such as livestock market barns, herd dispersal, estate auctions of farms with livestock, and estate auctions as necessary to preserve the value of the property or inventory. All other auctions are non-essential.
Q: Are garage/yard sales essential?
A: No.
Q: Can greenhouses be open under Safer at Home?
A: Greenhouses, retail landscaping businesses and their suppliers are considered essential businesses or operations, so long as the service is necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings.
If a greenhouse, retail landscaping business, or supplier is not necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses, and buildings, they may still continue Minimum Basic Operations, including fulfilling nonessential curbside pick-up, deliveries, mailing parcels, and receiving parcels if it can be done by one person in a room or confined space, including a car or truck. Services cannot require a signature by the customer.
Q: Are farmers markets essential?
A: Yes, but must close all seating intended for consuming food, no distribution of food samples. Self-dispensing unpackaged food areas (e.g., fresh produce) may stay open.
Q: What changes can I expect at grocery stores with the new Safer at Home extension?
A: With Governor Evers’ extension of the Safer at Home order came additional restrictions and requirements on retailers including grocery stores. Grocers will be limiting the number of people allowed in the store at one time, which includes employees and customers. Vendors may create lines outside the store to regulate entry, with appropriate social distancing, or they may use alternatives to lines including allowing customers to wait in their cars for a text message or phone call, or scheduling entries to the store. Shopping at non-peak hours is more important than ever. Each store will be setting their own procedures so please check their websites and social media pages for updates.
Q: What about my pets?
A: Pet boarding and doggy day cares are essential, but pet grooming is not.
Q: Are craft stores open?
A: Craft stores are not essential, but they may offer curbside pick-up for materials necessary for making PPE.
|
|
Not following guidelines undermines the sacrifices our community is making.
|
|
How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
- 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.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who 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.
- Wear a cloth face covering in public settings.
- Click here for additional guidance from the CDC
Additional Resources
|
|
Check with your school district for free lunch and breakfast options during COVID-19 closures. School district websites are linked below:
|
|
Updates from local healthcare providers:
|
|
Sign up for updates!
Complete this form
to receive COVID-19 Situation Updates from the Winnebago County Health Department.
|
|
Please distribute widely. The format may be altered when forwarded in an email. Find a shareable link
here
.
|
|
Winnebago County Health Department
920-232-3000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
