Seventh COVID-19 infection confirmed
The Marathon County Public Health Department on Wednesday (today) said three more people in the county have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), making a total of seven. Of the new reported cases, one person is hospitalized and the two others are close contacts to an earlier reported case.
“This is an indication that we have community spread and need every person to practice social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Judy Burrows, public information officer for the health department. “We have community spread in our area and we recommend all residents follow the governor’s Emergency Order No. 12 and stay at home and limit travel to essential travel only.”
On Sunday and Monday, the department announced the county’s second and third cases of COVID-19. On Tuesdaycame a fourth confirmed case.
Officials said they will contact individuals who have come in close contact with these people. This will be an ongoing case investigation. Anyone who has had close contact with individuals who are symptomatic will be isolated.
Further, the Marathon County Health Department will be checking daily with individuals who are isolated to their home. People who have been in contact with the person and don’t have symptoms will be self-quarantined at home and asked to monitor themselves for symptoms. Persons who are self-quarantining should contact their health care provider if symptoms appear.
Symptoms of COVID-19 to watch for include: cough, fever, or shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms.
“We can’t contain the spread without the help of everyone” said Judy Burrows, Public Information Officer for the Marathon County Health Department. “The Marathon County Health Department has the experience in disease investigation and monitoring persons who are in isolation. We need the community to help us help control the spread of COVID-19.”
Nursing home case
In related news, North Central Health Care (NCHC), Wausau, announced that an employee at Mount View Care Center, Wausau, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“The staff member is currently in isolation and receiving medical guidance,” said Michael Loy, NCHC chief executive officer, “We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread and working closely with our partners at the Marathon County Health Department. We want to make residents, their families, our dedicated staff and our community aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are taking appropriate steps to contain the spread of illness.”
NCHC said infected employee developed COVID-19 symptoms at work, reported the sickness and was immediately removed from contact with patients. The person was self-quarantined. NCHC learned the person tested positive for COVID-19 on March 28.
To prevent further spread of illness, North Central Health Care has immediately implemented additional healthcare precautions as advised by local health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
_ Personal protective face masks will be worn at all times by all employees within restricted areas of NCHC facilities which include nursing homes, behavioral health, crisis services and inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
_ All nursing home residents will wear a mask any time they exit their rooms.
_ Resident vital signs will be measured more frequently.
_ High-touch surfaces will be cleaned more frequently.
_ All visitation will be further restricted at this time to include hospice visitation. Management will work with families individually on a case-by-case basis for special circumstances.
On March 12, NCHC issued a no-visitation policy in effect for Mount View Care Center, Pine Crest Nursing Home and all NCHC Community-Based Residential Facilities in the community. All staff entering skilled nursing, behavioral health and crisis areas have been required to complete COVID-19 screening which includes temperature monitoring.
