Officials confirm third case of coronavirus in Wisconsin, second in Dane County

Logan Rude by Logan Rude, Stephanie Fryer

MADISON, Wis. — Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed Tuesday morning the third case of coronavirus in Wisconsin and the second in Dane County.

According to a news release, the person was exposed to the virus while traveling in the U.S.

The patient called the nursing hotline for SMM Health and staff directed the patient to visit the nearest Dean Medical Group Urgent Care location, according to Kim Sveum, the Regional Manger of Communications for SSM Health. Clinic staff were able to properly mask the patient and bring the patient into the facility through an isolated entrance for testing and care, Sveum said.

“We want to thank this patient for calling in advance of coming in for testing and care. This proactive step helped reduce the risk to our staff as well as other patients being treated in Urgent Care,” said Sveum in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

The patient is currently isolated at home and health officials are working to determine who the patient may have come in contact with prior to isolation.

“The news of new confirmed cases is not unexpected. We’ve been working with lab partners over the past weeks to expand our ability to identify cases early,” State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers said. “We’re expecting as we expand testing capacity, we’ll be able to identify cases as soon as they’re present.”

The third confirmed case comes just a day after health officials confirmed a second case in Pierce County.

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