BROWN COUNTY, WI— Brown County Health and Human Services – Public Health Division, De Pere Health Department and Oneida Nation Health Department are issuing a second Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Alert due to the continued high-levels of COVID-19 cases in Brown County. This has caused significant strain on our healthcare system partners and surrounding communities.
With record high numbers of positive cases, hospitalizations and staffing shortages, there has never been a more critical time for the community to act now and help stop the spread. Public Health needs the support of the community, and that includes notifying close contacts to both quarantine and seek testing. This will help us protect our Brown County community, reduce the strain on our healthcare system partners, and save lives.
Act Now- Stop the Spread
- Physically distance at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live.
- Wear a cloth face mask, unless unable to wear one for medical reasons.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Indoors, do not gather with people outside of your household. Outdoors, limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer, physically distance and wear face coverings.
- If symptomatic or identified as a close contact, call your health care provider, get a test, and stay home while awaiting results.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, notify your place of businesses or school, as well as your close contacts right away, and instruct close contacts to get tested and quarantine for 14 days.
- A close contact is defined as:
- Any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before the infected individual experienced symptoms.
- Any individual you touched (such as a hug or handshake) for any length of time starting from 2 days before the infected individual experienced symptoms.
- If you test positive, further testing is not recommended until after 90 days (or three months) from the time you tested positive the first time, unless directed by a healthcare provider.
- Cooperate with public health officials if you have tested positive or are a close contact.
We encourage the following strategies as found in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Data and Mitigation Strategies to Aid Local Communities.
BROWN COUNTY BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY
Businesses and community organizations use WEDC Guidelines.
Community Gatherings: Do not hold indoor gatherings. Limit outdoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer; physically distance and wear face coverings.
Restaurants, Bars: Offer take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery only. Close indoor bars.
Salons, Spas, Gyms: Provide minimum operations only.
Offices, Workplaces: Keep only essential workforce on-site; symptom monitor; use precautions.
Grocery Stores, Pharmacies: Remain open, with no dine in, self-service or customer dispensing.
Retail: Use mail delivery and curbside pick-up options. Limit the number of patrons who enter.
Hotels, Lodging: Use strict sanitation protocols.
Concerts, Festivals, Sporting Events: Do not hold these events at this time.
For more information on cases in your area and COVID-19 recommendations, visit your local health department’s website.
References:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, COVID-19 Activity Level by Region or County. 2020 Retrieved on October 30, 2020 from https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/local.htm
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, COVID-19 Data and Mitigation Strategies to Aid Local Communities, 2020. Retrieved on October 30, 2020 from: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/093020.htm
