Third person in Wisconsin tests positive for coronavirus

Updated: 3:46 p.m. on March 10, 2020

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Two new patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Wisconsin.

That brings the total number of Wisconsin coronavirus cases to three. The two latest cases were confirmed in Pierce and Dane Counties.

Wisconsin’s first coronavirus case from back in February was also in Dane county, but that person has since recovered.

“We are monitoring this every day,” Jeanne Ayers, State Health Officer, said.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says both new patients flew to a state where coronavirus is now community spread.

They would not say what states they traveled to, but confirm both are now in isolation at home.

Health officials are now checking in on people the patients may have had contact with.

Health officials say the Pierce County patient attended an event at Osceola High School over the weekend. The school district was closed Tuesday for a deep clean.

“People who attended that event are generally considered to be at low risk for being exposed to COVID-19,” Traci DeSalvo, Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Section Chief , said.

As Wisconsin conducts more coronavirus tests, more positive cases could be coming.

“We are increasing testing for COVID-19 at a number of locations, so tests are being run in real time as specimens are received by clinicians and then submitted to the labs so we expect to get results on an ongoing basis,” Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases, said.

The state says coronavirus in Wisconsin is not yet community spread, thanks in part to residents stepping up and-self isolating after experiencing symptoms or traveling to high-risk areas.

“We do not underestimate the impact that’s had on their lives and we really appreciate that work and effort and that has helped us tremendously in slowing the introduction of this virus in the state of Wisconsin,” Ayers said.

State health officials are encouraging Wisconsin businesses and schools to have a back-up plan in case it gets to a point where work needs to be done remotely.

They are also encouraging people to stop shaking hands.

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Posted: 10:38 a.m. on March 10, 2020

See Also Second case of coronavirus confirmed in Wisconsin

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A third person has tested positive for coronavirus in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Public Health Madison and Dane County announced Tuesday, March 10.

According to a news release, the person was exposed while traveling in the United States, and is currently isolated at home in Dane County.

County health officials are working to determine people who have been in contact with the patient to isolate or quarantine people and test those who are exhibiting symptoms.

“We are working with our local health departments to make sure everyone who has been in contact with our confirmed cases is notified. We continue to urge state residents to take precautions to avoid illness,” said State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers. “As guidance is evolving, it’s important for people to monitor the DHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for the latest information and guidance on COVID-19.”

People who have traveled in the past 14 days to places where there is community spread of COVID-19 (international and domestic locations), are asked to self-quarantine themselves and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms, like fever, cough, or difficulty breathing are present, they should contact their local health department and health care provider for possible testing. People should call ahead before arriving at a health care facility for testing.

“As this is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Dane County, we have the experience in caring for patients in isolation and contacting those who may have been in contact with the patient. We will continue working with DHS and CDC, as well as our local health care providers and other partners, to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County.

Officials also announced Tuesday that a Green Bay-area choir may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Bay Port Choir just returned from New York. They were informed the hotel they were staying at had a presumptive case of coronavirus.

Currently, none of the students are suspected of having the virus, but the school district and Brown County Health Department notified parents out of an abundance of caution.

Contributions to this story also made by: Tori Bokios