From: Douglas County – COVID-19 Public Health Information

MEMORANDUM

TO: Douglas County Municipal Clerks

FROM: Office of the Administrator RE: COVID-19 Public Health Information

DATE: March 5, 2020

The following correspondence has been prepared for informational purposes only.

CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures: 

Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus. 

Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can. 

Hand Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol. 

Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects Routine use of these measures by individuals and their families will increase community resilience and readiness for responding to an outbreak.

Personal Protective Measures

During an outbreak in your community, CDC recommends the everyday preventive measures listed above—especially staying home when sick—and taking these additional measures: 

Keeping away from others who are sick. 

Limiting face-to-face contact with others as much as possible. 

Consulting with your healthcare provider if you or your household members are at high risk for COVID-19 complications 

Wearing a facemask if advised to do so by your healthcare provider or by a public health official 

Staying home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease symptoms, if instructed to do so by public health officials or a health care provider (Voluntary Home Quarantine)

Community Measures

If COVID-19 disease is occurring in your community, state and local public health authorities may decide to implement: 

Temporary closures or dismissals of childcare facilities and schools 

Other social distancing measures that increase the physical space between people, including:

Workplace social distancing measures, such as replacing in-person meetings with teleworking
Modifying, postponing, or cancelling mass gatherings.

Decisions about the implementation of community measures will be made by local and state officials, in consultation with federal officials as appropriate, and based on the scope of the outbreak and the severity of illness. Implementation will require extensive community engagement and ongoing and transparent public health communications.

Douglas County Public Health Department can be reached at 715-395-1304.

COVID-19 Info: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For Schools:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preparing-individuals-communities.html

For Emergency Medical Services:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html

Wisconsin Updates:  https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm