Compiled by Jack McLoone

The scene in Pierce County and Wisconsin is ever-changing with the coronavirus that is waging a full-scale attack.

The first local case of COVID-19 was found to be a parent who had attended Prescott Elementary School Destination Imagination events at the local school and at the Osceola School District. That person had traveled to an area where there was, at that time, a virus outbreak.

Two more cases were announced in the county Sunday, and both those people were on a Spring Break Ellsworth High School trip to New Orleans.

Here’s info from Public Health:

Pierce County Public Health Department announced Sunday that two additional people tested positive for COVID-19. They, as well as household contacts, are cooperating with isolation at home and are doing well. Pierce County Public Health will not be providing further information about this individual to protect their privacy. County health officials are working to determine the people who have been in close contact with the patient to warn them to quarantine and if they develop symptoms, practice isolation within the home.

“While this news is concerning, it was not unexpected. It is currently unknown where the positive COVID-19 person was exposed. We urge residents to cancel non-essential travel at this time. If you must travel via plane or any other confined means of transportation, we recommend you self-quarantine for 14 days after you return and monitor yourself closely for symptoms, including fever and cough,” said AZ Snyder, Health Officer.

Pierce County Public Health continues to work closely with our clinical partners to ensure rigorous surveillance for COVID19.

The Ellsworth School District released the following on Facebook Sunday.

Statement one:

The Ellsworth Community School District has been informed that an individual who recently attended the senior high school choir trip to New Orleans has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The choir trip took place from March 9th-14th.

The individual identified is isolated at home and is resting comfortably.

Pierce County Public Health is working to identify people involved in the trip who may have had close contact with the individual. Those who may have been with close contact with this person will receive a call from Pierce County Public Health.

Recent guidance from Pierce County Public Health dated March 20, 2020, suggests that people who have traveled on a cruise, a plane, or traveled by any other confined transportation in the last two weeks should self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

Due to privacy laws, the School District is not able to provide any additional information that is identifiable.

See COVID-19 UPDATES, PAGE 2 Statement two:

This message is to provide an update since the message that was sent this morning from the District. We have now been notified by Pierce County Public Health that a second individual who recently attended the senior high school band/choir trip to New Orleans has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The choir trip took place from March 9th-14th.

Both individuals identified are isolated at home and resting comfortably.

Pierce County Public Health has contacted the families of all individuals who were on the trip. They are now in the process of reconnecting with families to emphasize that people who were on the choir trip should self-quarantine at home for 14 days.

Due to privacy laws, the School District is not able to provide any additional information that is identifiable.

A couple points of information relating to the Band/Choir trip: This group consisted of 44 students, 14 parents and 2 teaching staff. When our group left on March 9th, all Wisconsin schools were still in session and they returned the day after the Governor’s Friday afternoon announcement closing schools and 5 days prior to the actual mandatory closing of Wisconsin Schools.

The trajectory of the virus changed dramatically from the time in which the group left to their point of return. At the time in which the group left for the trip to New Orleans, the State of Louisiana was not listed as an area of community spread. The first case in Louisiana was actually reported on March 9th, the day the group left. Spring break was a time in which many of our families traveled throughout the country and to other countries. Due to the many changes that took place in an extremely short period of time, the decision was made to not have all district students return to school after spring break for the three days available prior to the governor’s closing date of March 18, 2020.

Here’s other local information on how the coronavirus is impacting the community and state.

Low-interest disaster loans

Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Wisconsin's request for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to access low-interest federal disaster loans.

'This is very good news for Wisconsin businesses that have already suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak,' he said. 'With the SBA loans now available to our state, small businesses and their employees have a little more certainty over their financial futures. This is another step in providing much-needed assistance to Wisconsin's small businesses.'

'We are encouraging business owners to reach out to SBA's partners and to SBA's offices with their questions to help the loan application process go as smoothly as possible,' said Wisconsin's SBA district director, Eric Ness.

Businesses and non-profits can begin their loan applications at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Deer Advisory Council meetings cancelled

In light of COVID-19, the Department of Natural Resources will suspend in-person County Deer Advisory Council meetings planned for discussing this year's deer season antlerless permit recommendations and will instead use a call-in format.

Here’s information on the Pierce County meeting: April 2, 7 p.m., Call in number: 855-947-8255, Passcode 8570-705# Wisconsin's hunting legacy runs deep. Everyone has a say about the deer herd in Wisconsin and the DNR wants to hear from you. Between March 30 and April 9, each county will host a call-in meeting talking about harvest goals for 2020. Anyone interested in listening to their county's call can join the meeting by phone from the comfort of home.

\A second round of meetings will take place in May, during which council members will review public comment and make final recommendations for the 2020 deer season. No meetings will be held in person for as long as the public health emergency lasts. The decision to host May's meetings in-person or by phone will be made closer to the date.

The DNR will review final County Deer Advisory Council recommendations following the May meetings and provide recommendations to the Natural Resources Board for approval in June.

Deposits Are Safe in Federally Insured Financial Institutions

In light of the ongoing developments related to the current COVID-19 virus and its impact on financial markets, Governor Tony Evers alongside the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) are reminding Wisconsinites the safest place to keep their money is in FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions. Gov. Evers is also cautioning individuals to remain vigilant against COVID-19-related scams.

“I’m confident that our financial institutions will be able to deliver necessary financial services to Wisconsinites throughout this pandemic,” said Gov. Evers. “The Federal Reserve has taken several steps since the start of this crisis to boost the economy and to ensure that the system has adequate liquidity.”

Some financial institutions have adjusted hours or services to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing; however, financial institutions continue to offer ATM, mobile, or online banking services, and services via appointment or drivethrough windows.

CVTC Takes Next Step to Help Slow Coronavirus Spread

In an effort to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chippewa Valley Technical College has closed its campuses to the public as of 5 p.m. Friday, March 20.

After making the decision to suspend face-to-face instruction for the time being, the College continues to closely monitor the evolving situation and decided to close public access to its buildings as the next precautionary measure. In this effort, CVTC staff have been busy transitioning to provide remote services options.

Classes are set to resume in alternate delivery methods starting March 30 and faculty are working diligently to transition their classes for this shift. Student and staff support services will remain available through electronic methods. CVTC’s e-learning specialist is available for video conferencing and phone appointments to students and College Professional Development is working to assist faculty and staff who are transitioning to remote work environments.

“We are taking the situation very seriously and are committed to doing our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus,” said CVTC President Bruce Barker. “I appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we take the necessary action to keep our students, employees and community safe.”

For the most current CVTC update on COVID-19, visit www.cvtc.edu/covid19.

Allina Health calls on public for donations of face masks Notes of gratitude for health care workers also encouraged as part of our Caring for Caregivers campaign

Due to an outpouring of community support and desire to make donations of needed protective equipment, Allina Health is standing up collection sites at many of its facilities to receive donations. Health care organizations, including Allina Health, are in need of additional masks to help meet ongoing health care needs and to help conserve existing personal protective equipment (PPE) for providers engaged in the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. Additionally, Allina Health welcomes notes of gratitude and encouragement that they will share in a safe manner with caregivers.

Allina Health is asking for donations of factory-made N95 and ear loop masks, as well as hand sewn ear loop masks. Instructions on how to make hand sewn masks can be viewed at allinahealth.org/coronavirus.

“Our communities are always looking for ways to help each other. We are so heartened by the response and are grateful for the public wanting to assist us in this critical hour,” said Helen Strike, COVID-19 System Incident Commander for Allina Health. “Individuals and organizations like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have reached out to lend their support in big and small ways. BCBS is partnering with us and other providers by organizing a statewide network of volunteers to help sew masks.”

Masks can be safely donated daily starting through April 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Donations sites are at most Allina Health hospitals. Details on specific locations at each facility will be available on allinahealth.org.

Donate locally at: Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Rd, Hastings, MN River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E Division St, River Falls, WI When you come to donate masks, remain in your car. A staff member will come to you to accept your donation.