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COVID-19 Information

Critical Information Regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Local Testing Options

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

WOMT Updates

Daily COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 is a virus that spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or contaminates a surface which then infects another individual upon contact. This is how many respiratory illnesses like Influenza spread. The best protection from respiratory illnesses like these include: wearing a mask, covering your cough, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, staying home when you are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and finally clean surfaces at home and work often with a disinfectant.

The Manitowoc County Health Department is working with Federal, State, and Local partners to identify and test who may be infected and identify any contacts with possible exposure.

 

April 1, 2021

Manitowoc County General Face Coverings Proclamation

WHEREAS, Manitowoc County is in the midst of a pandemic with a 14 day burden of 74.8 cases per 100,000, deemed moderately high the by the State of Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, new, more contagious strains of the virus that causes COVID-19 continue to spread throughout the United States, including the B.1.18 and B.1.1.7 variant found in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, while Manitowoc makes steady progress in administering the COVID-19 vaccines, it will take time to vaccinate the number of people necessary to stop community transmission and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Manitowoc County Health Department recommend the use of facial coverings as an effective measure to address the rising number of cases and limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus; and

WHEREAS, many individuals with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic or may experience a delayed onset of symptoms, during which time such individuals may transmit the virus unknowingly to others; and

WHEREAS, wearing a cloth face covering over both the nose and mouth greatly reduces the risk of continued community spread of COVID-19 without having a significant impact on people’s day-to-day lives; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to use all available tools as is reasonable and necessary to minimize the transmission of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, Manitowoc County has an interest in protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of all people in Manitowoc County from the continued spread of COVID-19 throughout the community; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is not only a threat to our public health but also to our economy; and

WHEREAS, the widespread use of face coverings will slow the spread of COVID-19, allowing Manitowoc’s economy to move forward by making sure businesses can stay open, create job opportunities, and protect employees; and

WHEREAS, requiring face coverings to be worn by any person in a public place within Manitowoc County directly serves that interest by avoiding and/or reducing the further spread of COVID-19 and minimizing the strain on healthcare resources while simultaneously enabling the continuation of essential services, businesses, and social and commercial life during the state of emergency; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, Stephanie Lambert, Local Health Officer for the Manitowoc County Health Department, do hereby proclaim that all those who work, live, or play in the County of Manitowoc are strongly encouraged to wear masks when all of the following apply:

(a) The individual is indoors or in an enclosed space, other than at a private residence; and

(b) Another person or persons who are not members of individual’s household or living unit are present in the same room or enclosed space; and

(c) Not all individuals have been vaccinated; and

(d) At least one of the unvaccinated individuals is of unknown or high-risk status for developing severe COVID-19 disease.

 

Stephanie Lambert, MPH

Health Officer

 

 

Local Press Releases

January 8, 2021- Manitowoc County Holds Second Vaccine Clinic After Successful First Week
January 4, 2021- Manitowoc County Receives First Shipment of Vaccine
December 09, 2020- National Guard Mission is Extended
December 07, 2020- Updated Quarantine Guidance
November 13, 2020- Critically High COVID-19 Activity Levels, Celebrate Holidays Safely
November 02, 2020- Community Action Needed (Read the Release Below)
October 07, 2020- Realignment of Reporting Period

November 02, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Health Alert: Community Action Needed to Stop the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

The County of Manitowoc is currently experiencing very high levels of COVID-19 infections and significant community spread. Manitowoc County Health Department, as well as area healthcare providers, have been under significant strain due to these increasing numbers. Wisconsin’s daily numbers keep getting worse. In these two months, the seven-day average has increased over 500%. It took us seven and a half months to get to 100,000 cases and only took us 36 days to get to 200,000.

Our hospital systems are understaffed and in the past week, Wisconsin has seen a 15.9% increase in COVID patient hospitalizations compared to the previous week, as well as, a 13.6% increase in COVID patients in the ICU compared to the previous week. This is an emergency. Emergencies call for drastic and collective action.

Act Now-Stop the Spread

Manitowoc County Health Department needs the community to do the following:

  • Wear a mask unless you are unable to do so for a medical reason
  • Stay home- only travel for essentials. Support local businesses by ordering take-out or delivery
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Social distance (stay 6 feet apart)
  • Limit groups gatherings to 10
  • Get your flu shot
    – This can decrease the amount of influenza hospitalizations and reduce the burden of our hospitals
  • Seek testing if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of if you have a fever or not, or get tested if you have been identified as a close contact
    – Contact your healthcare provider or visit a community testing site. A list of testing sites can be found at the following link Manitowoc County Testing Sites or under the Manitowoc County Health Department’s COVID-19 tab
    -Manitowoc has a National Guard Testing Site at the County Expo Center, Tuesday November 3 & 17 and December 1, for anyone who has been exposed or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
    – It is recommended that if you are a close contact that you seek testing day 7-10 after your exposure to ensure an accurate result. Testing too early or too late can produce negative results
    – Stay home after you have been tested and await results
    – A negative test result does not release a close contact from quarantine

Positive Individuals

  • If you test positive, stay home and isolate for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset. If no symptoms, remain isolated for 10 days from the date of testing
    – All household members are close contacts and should also remain at home
  • Inform all other close contacts of your test result
    A close contact is someone who:
    1. Was within 6ft of the positive individual for more than 15 minutes in a 24 hour period starting from 2 days before the positive person experienced symptoms- regardless of if they were wearing a mask or not
    2. Any person who had physical contact (hugs, handshakes), for any period of time during the infectious period
  • Inform your employer or school of your result
    – You are able to return to normal daily activities on day 11, provided that you have been symptom free for 24 hours
    – All close contacts should quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual. For household members, this may be longer if you cannot fully separate in the house

For more information and guidance visit the COVID-19 FAQs for Positives and Close Contacts

Businesses

  • Promote opportunities to work from home
  • Support physical distancing inside your facility
  • Require employees and patrons to wear a mask
  • Bars, restaurants, hospitality and retail: limit building capacity to 25%
  • If an employee tests positive or are identified as close contacts, allow them to isolate or quarantine to prevent further spread through your business

We’re all tired and we want to return to normal, but that cannot happen until we get the virus under control. Remember you can have, and spread COVID-19 without realizing you have it. Which means you could be the reason your friends or extended family members or the server at the restaurant – really, anyone you interact with – gets sick.

 

Testing Criteria

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to COVID-19 regardless of symptoms should contact their doctor and ask to be tested. 

WI DHS updates their How to Get Tested page frequently with new information including:

– Latest signs and symptoms of COVID-19
– What to do after being tested
– FAQs including information on Antibody Testing
– Interactive map of community testing sites in WI

Local testing options can be found by visiting our Testing Locations Page

Travel Guidance

Manitowoc County Health Department recommends limiting non-essential domestic and international travel.

Travel within Wisconsin

WI DHS does not recommend travel between private homes within the state. For example, avoid travel to seasonal homes or rental cabins. Individuals may spread COVID-19 to areas with few doctors or hospitals. Several counties in Wisconsin have issued travel advisories for seasonal and second homeowners. If you must travel, be sure to check for area-specific safety updates and closures. You may need to stay in place, or self-quarantine, for 14 days.

Bring everything you will need, including your own groceries, medications, and toiletries. You should practice enhanced personal hygiene at all times.

Important: Do not travel if you or someone in your home is sick with symptoms of COVID-19.

International Travel

International (overseas) and U.S. travel is risky, and the level of risk in the community you wish to travel to may change quickly. If you must travel, you should prepare for:

  • Changing travel restrictions
  • Staying in-place if you get sick, and planning for the impact of being away from your home for an extended period of time
  • Some cities and counties in Wisconsin may have you stay at home, or self-quarantine for 14 days after your travel

Find all of this and more on WI DHS’s Travel page.

 

Timeline of Events

For more information visit the sites below. If you have questions or concerns please contact the Manitowoc County Health Department during business hours at 920-683-4155.

 

IMPORTANT COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. VIEW MORE INFORMATION

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