COVID-19 cases continue to increase within county
The July 3 street dance and fireworks, were said by many to be a welcome pick-me-up to Cornell residents, after a multitude of events have been canceled. However, there may have been some exposure to COVID-19 that day, according to the Chippewa County Health Department, who issued a possible exposure notice July 7.
The public notice comes after an individual or individuals who tested positive for COVID-19, were in attendance at the event while symptomatic and before test results were known.
“We have no way to know who they came in contact with, which is why it is labeled a potential exposure,” said Nikki Podevels, community health planning and promotion specialist. “The potential exposure means that someone that was there, may have been exposed to that person or persons that tested positive. It is not a question of if someone there tested positive – it is that someone there tested positive and we are trying to find others that may be sick now as well.”
The department recommends individuals who attended those events monitor for symptoms for up to 14 days. If an individual was in attendance and is experiencing, or develops, symptoms of COVID-19, they should contact a healthcare provider to be tested.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and diarrhea.
Some healthcare systems may test an individual if they indicate they were in close contact to someone who is positive, even if they are asymptomatic.
See COVID-19 CASES/ Page 3 cases
“People should contact their primary healthcare provider to request testing,” said Podevels. “If they do not have a primary healthcare provider or their provider/health system isn’t able to complete testing, we encourage them to…contact their local health department.”
While the health department is not sharing how many confi rmed/active cases are in Cornell, currently, there have been 129 confirmed cases in the county, with 84 released from isolation and 116 pending test results. There have also been 5,338 negative tests recorded, none hospitalized because of the virus and no deaths from COVID-19 in the county.
So far, 54 cases have been identified in those over the age of 40, while 72 cases have been confirmed in those under 40.
“The virus is still in Chippewa County, and it is impacting people of all age groups,” said Angela Weideman, Chippewa County Health officer/director.
For testing sites, people can contact the Chippewa County Department of Health at 715-726-7900, or at covid@co.chippewa.wi.us.
“I recommend that Chippewa County residents keep their circle small, which means only spend time with a very limited number of people,” said Weideman. “Wear cloth face coverings. Wash your hands regularly. Most importantly, please stay home if you are sick, even if you only have mild symptoms.”
