GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — There are two new cases now of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Wisconsin, and now health department officials say it’s only a matter of time before it spreads through communities here.
“We would expect that at some point Wisconsin will have broader spread,” Division of Public Health Administrator Jeanne Ayers. “We will let you know as soon as we know.”
The two new cases are in Pierce County and Dane County. Both patients have been isolated in their homes. So far, state officials are not recommending the cancellation of any large events in Wisconsin, such as this weekend’s WIAA Girls’ State Basketball Tournament at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon.
“When we identify community spread…our guidance and recommendations will change,” said Ayers in a Tuesday media briefing.
Some events have been impacted anyway. The 2020 International Wisconsin Ginseng festival in Wausau has been canceled in part due to concerns over COVID-19.
Both patients picked up the virus while traveling here in the Untied States in areas where community spread–where the virus is spreading easily and sustainably–is already taking place.
Ayers says those at most risk should carefully consider their travel plans.
“People with pre-existing conditions…older adults…really need to begin to be judicious about their travel and their participation in large group gatherings,” Ayers said.
Osceola schools in Pierce County in Western Wisconsin are closed Tuesday for cleaning after the patient there attended a school function. Dr. Ryan Westergaard is with the Bureau of Communicable Disease. They’re working with Public Health to reach out to those who may have been exposed.
“When we hear about cases, we partner with local health officials to identify contacts and reach out to people to let them know they’ve been exposed and recommend specific symptom monitoring,” Westergaard said.
This brings the total cases detected in Wisconsin to three. A Dane County resident, the first person detected with the virus in the state, has since recovered.
