Iowa County Health Department Update March 23, 2020
March 23, 2020
Current Status
• Iowa County positive cases: 0
• Iowa County samples submitted for testing: Approximately 54 county-wide
• Iowa County percent of tests completed: Approximately 65%
• Wisconsin positive cases: 416 (30 counties)
• Wisconsin deaths: 5
• High-Risk populations: 60 years and older, underlying medical conditions
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Public Health Priorities
Stay at Home order by Governor Evers – We’ve taken some important steps thus far in fighting COVID-19, but time is of the essence to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. As a result, on March 23, 2020, Governor Tony Evers and DHS Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm announced that a Safer at Home order will be issued tomorrow (March 24).
• What does #SaferAtHome mean to me and my family?
o We know that it has been difficult and that the social distancing we are asking for has disrupted the lives of people. Issuing a #SaferAtHome order isn’t something the State of Wisconsin thought it would have to do, and it’s not something taken lightly. But here’s the bottom line: everyone needs to start taking this pandemic seriously. People across our state are still out and about and unnecessarily putting our friends, our neighbors, and our communities at risk. Please #StayHome and help us save lives.
o You can still get out and walk the dogs—it’s good exercise and it’s good for everyone’s mental health—but please don’t take any other unnecessary trips, and limit your travel to essential needs like going to the doctor, grabbing groceries, or getting medication. If it’s essential for you to go outside, please stay 6 feet away from others and shared spaces such as park shelters and visitor centers.
o Workers providing essential care or services in our communities will be allowed to continue to travel to and from work. That includes folks like healthcare professionals, grocers, family caregivers, among other people whose work is critical for folks across our state. The Stay at Home order will define those that will be exempt. Essential Workers should make plans to distance themselves from household members.
• Self-Care: residents who are not critically ill, should stay home and manage their symptoms.
• Upland Hills Health Hospital and Clinics: Temporary Changes at UHH Family Medicine Clinics New appointment procedures… Clinic closings
• Community Donations: Everyone is asking how they can help….We are so grateful for the generous spirit!
• Something you may be able to help with is assisting our emergency responders and healthcare providers in the care they provide. If you have an extra supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks or respirators, dust masks or procedure masks, goggles or face shields, gowns, coveralls or aprons, or gloves, we ask that you consider donating them! Beginning March 24, 2020, Please bring your new, unused PPE to the Iowa County Health & Human Services building between the hours of 8am and 8pm. These items will be used to keep our frontline health care workers safe!
• We are also getting many requests from the public wanting to help by making masks. We are very appreciative of this as well. We are in the process of seeking guidance from the CDC and Division of Public Health on creating masks that will meet our needs. At this moment, please do not start sewing masks until we can provide guidance on the design. We don’t want to ask residents to make masks, only to ask them to make a different type soon after.
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Governor Announcement
Gov. Evers Safer at Home-March 23, 2020
Gov. Evers: Updated Mass Gathering Ban — March 20, 2020
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