Walworth County Division of Public Health announced today that there are now two confirmed cases of Coronavirus 2019 in Walworth County. This newly confirmed individual is a man in his 60s who is receving treatment. It is not yet known if the second case is travel-related.
“We are taking the identification of COVID-19 in Walworth County very seriously. We have been working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and our local partners to not only handle these cases, but to lessen the impact to the community,” said Erica Bergrstrom, Public Health Officer.
The first case, which was identified Wednesday, is travel related. That person has remained in voluntary self-isolation since returning from traveling. It’s important to note that community transmission of COVID-19 has not been identified in Walworth County.
As a reminder, the responsibilities of the Walworth County Division of Public Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services 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.
– Providing guidance to clinicians regarding testing.
To reduce risk of getting sick, the county’s Public Health team reminds 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.
- Practice social distancing.
The Public Health Department reminds county residents this is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s website by clicking here or the DHS website here.
For the latest information about COVID-19 in Walworth County, visit here.
Editor’s note: This post is under the Elkhorn tab because the county’s Public Health Department is located in Elkhorn, which is also the county seat. It in no way implies that the people who’ve tested positive live in the Elkhorn community.
