By Anita Weier
Northside News
The State of Wisconsin and Public Health Madison & Dane County took major steps in March to halt the spread of the coronavirus throughout the county and the state.
Actions were taken in response to a rapidly increasing number of infected people in the state, including the highest numbers of cases in Dane and Milwaukee counties. The COVID-19 disease developed in China and has spread rapidly worldwide. The World Health Organization designated the disease a pandemic.
Authorities closed K‒12 schools, with restart dates uncertain. UW-Madison is using online instruction for the rest of the semester. Madison public libraries have closed, as has the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Restaurants were told to close in-house dining, though takeout and delivery were allowed. Groups were limited to no more than 10 people.
Go to publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus for information or call the department hotline at 608-243-0587. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also have highly informative websites.
“We have reached the level where community spread of COVID-19 is happening,” said Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “Community spread means there is no known source of the disease, such as recent contact with an infected person or travel from an area with a high number of cases. Given this level of spread, we are directing community members to restrict movement and stay at home as much as possible.”
Cases in China have indicated that children are less vulnerable to the virus, but those over 60 and those with underlying medical conditions and weakened immune systems are more susceptible.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a persistent cough, fever and shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor. Special arrangements may have to be made to examine you. Also, the fact that this is flu season has complicated diagnoses, since some symptoms are similar.
Medical authorities advise that children and adults should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and cough and sneeze into tissues (or an elbow, if necessary). Experts also stress that people should avoid touching parts of their faces, especially the nose, eyes and mouth, where the virus could invade the body. It is recommended that people stay 6 feet away from each other.
Sally Zirbel-Domisch, assistant director of health services at the Madison Metropolitan School District, warned that community spread could occur “from standing next to someone in the grocery line or touching something someone else has touched and putting your hand up to your eye or mouth so you spread the germ to yourself,” she said.
It is important not to stereotype people who are sick or who have traveled or are a specific ethnicity, she added. “This disease could affect any one
of us.”
Testing for the coronavirus was initially limited nationally because of CDC guidelines and the lack of availability of test kits, but that situation has improved. The State Laboratory of Hygiene in Madison and the Milwaukee Health Department laboratory are now testing, as are some private labs. Shortages of medical equipment and test ingredients are a concern to medical personnel.
Additional preventive measures could be taken. At press time, the governor and legislative leaders were planning a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature.