County monitors COVID-19 as life is drastically altered
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
The COVID-19 virus is now in Walworth County, according to Public Health officials who have announced three confirmed cases of the virus as of Friday.
The first person who tested positive had reportedly recently traveled domestically, and at the recommendation of the county’s Public Health Department, voluntarily self-isolated upon returning to the county.
“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,” Erica Bergstrom, Public Health Officer, said.
The second person, a man in his 60s, is receiving treatment and according to Public Health officials, it was not yet known if the second case was travel related.
The third person who tested positive for COVID-19 did not have exposure to a known case and didn’t travel to a location with known community spread, according to officials.
Walworth County Public Health is working with 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 it.
Public Health officials will directly notify close contacts of any identified cases. The department has been monitoring the virus since early this month and has remained in regular contact with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, according to local officials.
Carlo Nevicosi, Walworth County’s Deputy Health Director said Monday afternoon the Public Health Department hasn’t increased staff but is using resources differently to deal with the increase in calls the department is fielding.
“It’s an all hands on deck approach, so to speak,” Nevicosi said.
Read more of Southern Lakes Newspapers’ coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in this week’s issues. Relevant updates will be posted on the website and included in next week’s publications.
