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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/29/2020

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

(715) 421-8911

Possible COVID-19 Exposure in Wood County

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 3:00-9:00PM and 7/22 from 8:00PM- 2:00AM
• Perkins in Wisconsin Rapids on 7/20 from 4:00PM until midnight
• John’s Lutheran Church, Cemetery, and Riverside Park in Pittsville on 7/25 from 10:00am-2:00PM

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. 

“We have uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in Wood County. In these times of uncertainty, we are reminded that the simple choices like wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing of at least 6 feet can keep us and our neighbors healthy and our businesses open and safe,” stated Sue Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director and Health Officer. 

Our actions during this pandemic affect not only ourselves, but those around us. Every community has vulnerable people, including grandparents, cancer patients, and people with health conditions. It is our collective responsibility to protect our neighbors who fall into these categories.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and quarantine, limit your contact with other people, and contact your medical provider to be tested or visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/testing for a list of community testing sites. While this virus predominantly affects our vulnerable population more acutely, no one is immune from developing serious, even life threatening complications.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/26/2020

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

(715) 421-8911

Possible COVID-19 Exposure Wood County Establishment Hollyrocks

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – The Wood County Health Department has received notification that an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was at Hollyrocks in Wisconsin Rapids during the infectious period of the illness. Hollyrocks is currently closed. County health officials are working to determine how the individual may have become infected and are contacting others with whom the person with the positive result had close contact. 

Patrons who were at Hollyrocks during the following days and times may have been exposed to COVID-19.

• 7/21 from 3PM-9:45PM
• 7/22 from 11AM-2:30PM
• 7/23 from 5:30PM-10PM

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 of at least 6 feet was not maintained, a press release will be issued to allow the public to better know their potential exposure risk.

The Wood County Health Department is encouraging anyone who was present on these dates to monitor for symptoms for a period of 14 days from their last visit to Hollyrocks. 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. If you think you were exposed at this establishment during this time, and have questions, call the Wood County Health Department at 715-421-8911 for further direction. 

“The community’s health and safety is our number one priority,” states Sue Kunferman, Wood County Health Officer. “We are releasing this information due to the inability to identify all possible contacts who may have been exposed to the person who has tested positive during their infectious period.

Our best public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to continue physical distancing of at least 6 feet, wear a mask when in public and unable to physical distance, avoid large gatherings, and stay home if you are feeling sick or were in contact of someone who has been sick.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/25/2020

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

(715) 421-8911

Possible COVID-19 Exposure Wood County Establishment and Community Amenities

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.

• An individual who tested positive was at Jennings in Wisconsin Rapids on July 18 and may have had close contact with individuals who are unknown. County health officials are working to determine how the individual may have become infected and are contacting others with whom the person with the positive result had close contact. 
• An individual who tested positive was at Perkins in Wisconsin Rapids on 7/21 from 4:00-12:00PM and 7/23 from 4:00-8:00 PM. Perkins is closed today for deep cleaning and do temperature and symptom checks on all employees daily; ill employees are not allowed to come to work. They require employees to wear a mask, sanitize commonly touched surfaces hourly, and seat customers at every other table to maintain 6 feet of distance.
• An individual who tested positive was at Wisconsin Rapids Aquatics Center on 7/21 and 7/22 from 1:00-6:30PM and the Wisconsin Rapids Skate Park on 7/21 and 7/22 from 6:30-8pm.

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 will be 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 isolate and call the Wood County Health Department at 715-421-8911 for further direction. 

“It is important to continue following the advice that has been shared to stay safe and keep our community safe and healthy. We do have uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in Wood County. It takes all of us together to control the spread of the pandemic; be mindful of the choices you make and how they may impact others,” stated Sue Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director and Health Officer. 

People should continue to: frequently and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid touching your face, stay home when sick, practice physical distancing, avoid large gatherings and crowds, and wear cloth face coverings when physical distancing is difficult to do.People with confirmed infections have a wide range of symptoms. They may have little to no symptoms or become severely sick and ultimately pass away from complications. 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.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your medical provider to be tested or visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/testing for a list of community testing sites. While this virus predominantly affects our vulnerable population more acutely, no one is immune from developing serious, even life threatening complications.  Please protect others by protecting yourself. 

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