Health officials in Waushara and Kewaunee Counties say they have confirmed their first COVID-19 cases.

County officials made the announcements on Sunday afternoon.

According to Kewaunee County, the patient confirmed with the virus is in their 80's, and was hospitalized over the weekend.

County officials there add they're in the beginning of their investigation, and weren't able to release any other information about the case to WBAY.

Cindy Kinnard, RN, Director of Kewaunee County Public Health, says they're fortunate to have made it this long without a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county.

Kinnard added the health department will continue to monitor the patient closely.

In addition, county officials say they're working to identify and contact others who may have been in close contact with the patient, and anyone identified will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Kewaunee County officials say the county has had 62 residents tested for COVID-19, and so far have received 51 negative results, and 10 others are still pending.

Waushara County officials say the patient there is is isolated, and add all close contacts have already been notified, and everyone who is contacted is asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their time of exposure.

Waushara County Health Department officials add they're working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to identify and contact anyone else who may have been in close contact with the patient.

No other information about the patient was released to WBAY, with officials saying they weren't releasing anything else out of respect for the privacy of the patient and their household.

Waushara County officials say now more than ever, it's important to stay at home and practice social distancing if you have to go out, and added that while the information may make residents feel uneasy, it wasn't unexpected, and there isn't a reason to panic.

Although Waushara County's first case was announced during the state's update on Sunday, Kewaunee County was not included in that report due to the information being reported after the state's numbers were released.

Spreading the disease

The coronavirus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

"The virus is found in droplets from the throat and nose. When someone coughs or sneezes, other people near them can breathe in those droplets. The virus can also spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it. If that person touches their mouth, face, or eyes the virus can make them sick," says the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

People infected with the virus can develop the respiratory disease named COVID-19.

COVID-19 symptoms and prevention

Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Emergency signs include pain and pressure in the chest, confusion and bluish lips or face.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear between 2 and 14 days after contact with an infected person.

for complete local, national and international coverage of the outbreak.

DHS recommends taking these steps to help stop the spread of the virus:

Stay at home

--Limit your physical interactions with people

Keep at least six feet apart from others

Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water

Make essential trips no more than once a week

Covering coughs and sneezes

Avoiding touching your face

The virus originated in Wuhan, China. The spread started in December 2019.