First COVID-19 case in Walworth County confirmed

Walworth County Division of Public Health announced today that there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Walworth County.

The individual recently traveled domestically and at the recommendation of Walworth County Division of Public Health, voluntarily self-isolated upon returning to the community. Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, the Division of Public Health said no additional information will be provided. This goes to show how important testing is within the community to make sure that other people are not infected. Over time laboratories will be inundated with tests that need to be checked to see if there are infections present, because of this there will need to be updated and functioning equipment from websites like https://www.sciquip.co.uk/products/liquid-handling-and-pipettors/pipettors.html to help with the demands set. We hope that it will not escalate but at this time it is hard to tell.

“We are in daily contact with this individual to monitor their symptoms and ensure they are receiving support to be able to isolate at home,” Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom said. “Walworth County Division of Public Health is keeping track of this outbreak. We are working with our local, state, and federal partners to deal quickly and effectively when people have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around people that have been infected with the coronavirus. Walworth County Division of Public Health will directly notify close contacts of any identified cases.”

The Walworth County Division of Public Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services responsibilities include:

  • Identifying and contacting anyone who has been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19. These people are asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. People with symptoms are tested for COVID-19;
  • Monitoring and tracking test results for individuals who test positive to determine when a person can be released from isolation based on CDC guidelines; and
  • Providing guidance to clinicians regarding testing.

To reduce risk of getting sick, the Walworth County Division of Public Health is advising everyone to follow these simple steps:

  • Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water;
  • Cover coughs and sneezes;
  • Avoid touching your face;
  • Stay home when sick; and
  • Practice social distancing

“Walworth County Division of Public Heatlh is ready to deal with an increased number of cases. We will continue to work with DHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and our local partners to make sure our community remains safe and healthy,” Bergstrom said.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov or the DHS website at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov.

For the latest information about COVID-19 in Walworth County, visit www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19.

6 Comments

  1. What city? Those of us that still need to occasionally go to the store would like to know what city they are in. Don’t care about their name, just the city.

  2. Panzer Vom Xillo

    …it would be nice to know where in the county the case was discovered.
    Elkhorn?
    Lake Geneva?
    East Troy?

  3. I’ve been told it was Elkhorn but not sure how true that is.

  4. Totally agree… let everyone know what geographical area it is. Why can’t the establishment help diffuse any anxiety….what the (heck) is wrong with them?

  5. Two things…

    1. This individual voluntarily self-isolated. Odds are pretty fair that they won’t be out spreading it again, and that the people around them know and will be taking proper precautions not to spread the virus.

    2. Sorry, but this isn’t the only case. Don’t fear the confirmed case that we know at this point, fear the cases that we don’t know. Treat EVERY person that you interact with over the next six months (barring a CDC “all clear”) as though you are both trying to keep it from spreading to the other and your odds improve.

    Common sense here people, just be safe. And maybe don’t listen to the CIC when he tells us that something isn’t that serious or that it’s a hoax.