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Possible COVID-19 Exposure in Wood County and Statewide Mask Mandate

Posted 7/30/2020 by krauter-egge@co.wood.wi.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/30/2020

CONTACT: Susan Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director/Health Officer

(715) 421-8911

Possible COVID-19 Exposure in Wood County and Statewide Mask Mandate

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wood County Health Department has received notification of possible exposures where people who have tested positive for COVID-19 had visited during their infectious period.

  • 4 Stools in Wisconsin Rapids on 7/21 from 3:00PM-2:00AM
  • Whiskey Rapids on 7/25 and 7/26 between 11:30PM-1:30AM

Once a person tests positive for COVID-19 contact tracing begins. When it is not possible to specifically identify contacts from an exposure during which adequate physical distancing was not maintained, a press release is issued to allow the public to better know their potential exposure risk. If you think you were exposed at one of these establishments during this time, stay home and quarantine and call the Wood County Health Department at 715-421-8911 for further direction. 

Today Gov. Tony Evers declared a Public Health Emergency and issued an Emergency Order requiring individuals to wear face coverings when indoors and not in a private residence, with some exceptions as clarified and defined in the order. The order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2020, and will expire on September 28, 2020 or by a subsequent superseding order. Executive Order #82 declaring a public health emergency is available here and Emergency Order #1 requiring face coverings statewide is available here. Face coverings help protect and save lives and will be required for people over the age of 5; if you are out in public, you need to mask up. 

The most powerful thing you can do is serve as an example for those around you is to wear a face covering. We are in a battle against this virus, not each other. It is on all of us to ensure these efforts are successful. A face covering is not a substitute for washing your hands or physical distancing; continue to maintain at least 6 feet between you and others whenever possible. “We don’t think twice about lending a hand to a neighbor in need. Wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing is just another way we take care of each other and take responsibility for the health of our community. It is an acknowledgement that we’re at our best when everyone chips in to do their part,” stated Sue Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director and Health Officer. 

Wood County is experiencing community spread and today has seen the largest increase in those who have tested positive for COVID-19. Currently there are 57 active cases and 210 total people who have tested positive in Wood County. Symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, fatigue, body and muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of smell, and loss of taste. In the event that symptoms do develop, please contact your health care provider for testing.

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