COVID-19 Pandemic Update for the Afternoon of April 1st: 5th Clark County Case; First Instance of Community Spread
Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 -- 2:19 PM
COVID-19 UpdateApril 1st, Afternoon
We have a COVID-19 update for you this afternoon.
The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) is confirming that there is now a fifth positive case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Clark County.
This individual does not have a history of travel and is not a contact of any of the four previous cases; making it the first confirmed instance of community spread in Clark County. The CCHD is conducting an investigation of the newly identified case and is following-up with others with whom this individual had close contact.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term “community spread” or “community transmission” means that the source of the infection is unknown. It occurs when a person’s disease cannot be traced back to a specific individual, indicating that the infected person was likely infected within his or her own community.
“Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the community transmission of COVID-19 across the United States and across Wisconsin. Unfortunately, we are now seeing that community spread here in Clark County as well. Again, I cannot stress enough that it is extremely important for all residents to follow Governor Evers’ Emergency Order #12 (the Safer at Home Order). This means staying at home and limiting travel to essential travel only,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.
Essential travel includes leaving the home only to: purchase essential supplies; seek health care; purchase medical supplies or prescriptions; travel to an essential workplace; or travel to care for a child, dependent, or elderly person.
Essential supplies include groceries, gas, and other items needed to maintain a safe home. Shopping trips should be done once per week or less. Plan ahead, making a list of needed items and limit your time in the store to reduce your risk. Always practice social distancing (6 feet or more) and hand washing/sanitizing after shopping.
“The Coronavirus pandemic is a continuously evolving situation. We need every person to do their part to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” Mews added.
For additional updates and resources, residents are encouraged to monitor the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and CDC websites for the latest information and guidance.
Taking a look at the state numbers as of this afternoon, that state has 18,819 negative tests, 1,550 positive cases and 24 deaths. Of the positive cases, 398, or 26%, have been hospitalized. Clark County has 5 positive cases and 57 negative. For our neighboring counties, Chippewa has 10 positive cases and 260 negative cases, Eau Claire has 12 positive cases and 530 negative, Jackson has 2 positive and 54 negative, Wood has 2 positive and 175 negative and Marathon has 5 positive and 224 negative and Taylor still has no positive cases and 31 negative. Just a reminder, Wisconsin is under a “Safer at Home” order, which asks all residents to avoid unnecessary travel. You can still go to the grocery store or pharmacy, get gas, get dinner from a local business, work in the yard, walk the dog, ride a bike, etc.; just practice social distancing when you do so.
Also, please be aware of all the scams that are making the rounds due to the coronavirus pandemic. If you receive a call from someone stating to be with the IRS and asking for your account information to deposit your stimulus check, that’s a scam. Do not provide that information. The stimulus check will be provided by mail and you do not need to provide a bank or any organization with your information. Also, be wary of any other phone call you may receive regarding COVID-19 as people are trying to take advantage of others during this troubling time.
Finally, just a reminder, people need to take this seriously. This falls on all of us. If people don’t take this seriously, things are going to get much worse. Our numbers are climbing, but state officials have said that things would be much worse if the governor hadn’t issued the “Safer at Home” order. The methods are working. We just need to keep following the guidance of the CDC and the state so we can get Wisconsin back open for business and get things back to normal. But you must take this seriously. We must put aside petty partisan politics and work together. This is a trying time, but we will get through it with the right mindset and if we work together and help each other along during these difficult times. If there’s anything we can do at Central Wisconsin Broadcasting to help, please reach out. We have many resources available to you on our website and Facebook page and were happy to answer your questions. If we can’t, we can put you in touch with someone that can. But above all, stay calm, buy your groceries one week at a time like always and take care of yourself.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.