Public Health Guidance

Current Recommendations:

  • Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from other people
  • Do not gather in large groups
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gathering
  • If you completing a task that requires you to be in an area where it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance from others (e.g. grocery shopping), please wear a protective face mask. This will help protect others if you have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms or asymptomatic but still in a possible transmission period. DIY Masks

Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What happens after we reach the peak of disease?
    • A lot is still unknown. When we reach the peak it means we have high viral activity. This level of activity can continue for a time after the peak number of cases. We will need to keep practicing social distancing measures to make it through the peak and allow the viral activity to decrease. It is unknown as of yet if, like some influenza strains, this virus will have a secondary peak. DHS continues to develop models and research the epidemiology of the virus and will provide us with more information as it becomes available from CDC and WHO.
  • Public beaches and boat launches were packed over the weekend and people were not social distancing, what should we do?
    • Outdoor activity is great for mental health well being, but we still want people to keep space between themselves and others.  Playground equipment and other surfaces that would be touched frequently or locations that would create mass gatherings may be closed. When out in public, it is recommended that you wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, and practice physical  distancing.  Those who are at higher risk  of complications from COVID-19 should consider limiting their interactions outside of their home.  
  • Are masks mandatory to wear when out in public? 
    • While masks are highly recommended, they are not mandatory. Your best defense against COVID-19 is washing your hands, avoid touching your face, and practicing physical distancing! Consider wearing a mask in situations when physical distancing is not possible. For more information on face masks visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/protect.htm 
  • Are businesses and other organizations required to follow the Walworth County Phased Guidance? 
    • Businesses are strongly encouraged to follow the guidance laid out in our Phased Guidance, but are not mandated to follow it. By implementing the recommendations from Walworth County Public Health, your business and organization is protecting your staff and customers.  
  • What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
    • A quarantine period is a 14-day period where someone who had close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 should be staying home and monitoring for symptoms. Quarantine is also for those who have traveled out of state and for those who have developed symptoms without known exposure to COVID-19.

    • An  isolation period is a 10-or-more day period where someone who is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19 should be staying home, isolating away from others, and monitoring symptoms. 

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health services website  

Additional Links

COVID-19 Connecting Essential Workforce Families to Child Care

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has launched two new tools to help connect essential workforce families to local, safe child care. Healthcare workers and essential employees are now able to submit a request for care through the the department’s updated Child Care Finder or proactively view up-to-date availability across the state using the department’s new child care map.  

Tips for parents using child care curing COVID-19

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families child care information for essential workers

Provider Information 

Reporting and Surveillance Guidance 
Report immediately by telephone to the patient’s local public health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case. Find more information on communicable disease reporting at Department of Health Services Disease Reporting 

Testing Criteria for Patients Under Investigation
Guidance for identifying patients under investigation can be found at the CDC’s Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation web-page. The patient under investigation guidance is subject to change based on updated information.  Find more information at CDC Overview of Testing 

Clinical Care Guidance 
Find a summary of recent changes and information on Clinical Care Guidance

Additional Guidance for Healthcare Professionals  
For more information on COVID-19 guidance for health care professionals, visit the Centers for Disease Control website