The Sheboygan Area School District taking “precautionary measures” because of the coronavirus. North High School sent out a tweet Friday afternoon asking students to take their computers home this weekend as a precautionary measure. On Thursday, the district announced that all non-essential events that would involve more than 250 people were cancelled for the next 30 days.
There are 3 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Sheboygan County. That word coming from the Department of Health Services Friday. In addition to the Sheboygan County Cases, there are now 6 confirmed cases in Fond du Lac County. Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Wisconsin at 18 as of Friday, more than doubling since noon on Thursday.
This prompted a number of schools to close their doors in response to the CDC’s guidelines for school districts to help slow the spread of the virus. The Sheboygan County Health and Human Services Department has implemented a mass notification system to provide updates on the virus. You can sign up at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF376179A4DA or text SHEBCO to 99411.
In a Press release sent out on Wednesday, Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne announce they’ve convened a panel of key health care providers and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated multi-agency response as the situation unfolds.
“The health and safety of Sheboygan County employees and residents is our utmost priority,” said County Administrator Adam Payne. “All county departments, including Health and Human Services, Rocky Knoll, Building Services, Human Resources, and the Sheriff’s Department are actively engaged with planning and mindful of the serious implications to our community if an outbreak occurs.” Payne said that the Rocky Knoll Health Care Center has taken additional steps to protect residents and staff, and are carefully monitoring patients and visitors alike. “If you are sick or just returned from an area of the country that has the coronavirus, don’t visit a friend or loved one at Rocky Knoll,” Payne said. Payne said everyone must be more mindful of taking care of themselves, including simply washing their hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze, and don’t go to work if you are sick. All county departments are also updating their existing Continuity of Operations plans to ensure essential services continue to be delivered to our citizens regardless of the hazard.
Division of Public Health Manager Starrlene Grossman: “While the risk to residents remains low, people should be more vigilant and follow simple steps to avoid getting sick and spreading disease.” These steps include:
Wash your hands frequently
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Avoid touching your face
Stay home when sick
The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health will be providing a situational update on COVID19 during the County Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 17th at 6:00pm in the Sheboygan County Courthouse, 615 N. 6th St., Sheboygan. The presentation will cover Sheboygan County’s internal and external preparations related to the virus, and the public is welcome to attend. “At this time, the best way to protect our residents is to provide timely information and offer the best means of prevention that we can,” said County Board Chairman Tom Wegner. “It is so simple to wash your hands and cover your mouth when you cough, and it matters.”
