SHAWANO, WI – The number of COVID-19 cases in Shawano County increased by two over the weekend.
The numbers have not yet been reported by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health, but was confirmed by Shawano-Menominee County Health Officer Vicki Dantoin.
“Friday the 3rd was our first official case and since then, as of this morning, we now have three, so that has been evolving quickly as well.”
Dantoin said like other counties have shown, cases tend to grow after one confirmed.
“Once you have one and it’s confirmed, it pretty much continues from there.”
While some counties have been sitting at the same number of confined cases for nearly a week, Dantoin says it is important to know that the confirmed cases do not tell the complete story.
“People have been sick but maybe did not qualify for testing, so we know it is around us.”
With Easter weekend approaching, Dantoin says now more than ever, travel to family and inviting family over is not advised, especially if it involves going to a new county.
“The more travel the more increased the risk.”
“We still encourage the same messaging, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and stay at home.”
Shawano County was one of the last counties in Northeast Wisconsin to have a confirmed case and Dantoin says there is no exact reason of why that is but she knows, for the most part, people have been listening to the Governor’s orders.
“Potentially, the stay at home could be why it took a while for us to get cases because people were doing what they were supposed to be doing.”
The Health Department will not be releasing the names of the individuals that are confirmed.
Anybody that has been in close contact with someone that is confirmed COVID-19 positive will know about it.
“They will receive some type of direct notification about that,” Dantoin explained. “We just need to keep in mind when we are out and about that our risk is increased and we know that the hotspots are grocery stores and pharmacies and placed like that.”
The Health Department will continue to post updates on confirmed cases in Shawano-Menominee County.
Health Officer Vicki Dantoin talks Coronavirus in Shawano County
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