NEW RICHMOND – St. Croix County has reported 2,196 cases of COVID-19 within the first 13 days of 2022. As of Jan. 13, 2022, the County is averaging 197 cases per day, nearly double the highest level we have seen during this pandemic.

Due to the high volume of positive COVID19 cases, St. Croix County Public Health may not be able to personally contact everyone who tested positive for COVID-19 by phone. St. Croix County Public Health will send automated text, phone, and email alerts to residents who tested positive and have not been contacted by Public Health. These automated alerts will have a link to more information about what to do after testing positive for COVID-19.

•Automated email alerts will only be sent from [email protected]

•Automated text or phone alerts will only be sent from 715-246-8224 A member of our Public Health Department may follow up with you using a different phone number than listed above. To avoid potential scams, please do not reply to or click links in messages that ask you for payment or financial information. Public Health will NOT ask you for money or payment, social security, or bank account information. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a message, please contact Public Health at the phone number or email listed above.

Public Health is prioritizing daily communication with every school district regarding positive students and staff, controlling outbreaks of the disease, and individuals at greater risk for disease.

COVID-19 testing Public Health urges everyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 to get tested. Public Health is offering free COVID-19 PCR testing at the St. Croix County Services Center in New Richmond on Mondays and Wednesdays. These testing locations will be open on the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day holidays. Testing is available during the following times:

•Mondays: 7:30 – 11 a.m.

•Wednesdays: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. You can find a list of testing locations on the St. Croix County website: sccwi.gov/COVID19-Testing The CDC has shortened the recommended length of isolation for people with COVID-19, from 10 days to five day, if at Day 5 your COVID-19 symptoms are resolving, and you have been fever free (without meds) for 24 hours. After your five-day isolation period is over, it is important to wear a well-fitting mask around others for the next five days. If you tested positive for COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who tested positive, follow the guidance in these resources:

•I tested positive for COVID-19: dhs.wisconsin. gov/covid-19/diagnosed.htm

•I'm a close contact: dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/closecontacts.htm COVID-19 vaccines Everyone 5 years of age and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Wisconsin. Public Health is currently offering free first and second doses and booster shots of the COVID19 vaccine on Mondays at the Services Center in New Richmond from noon – 4 p.m. These clinics are open for individuals 5 and older. You can sign up for your vaccine by following the instructions on the St. Croix County website: sccwi.gov/COVID-19-Vaccine Where can I find more information?

Visit the St. Croix County website for more information on COVID-19, how to get your vaccine, where to get tested, current data, and more: sccwi.gov/COVID19 Please do your part to help keep your family, friends, neighbors, and community safe. St. Croix County Public Health sincerely thanks you for your participation and cooperation in controlling the spread of COVID-19. To help keep our community safe, we ask that you:

•Wear a mask

•Practice physical distancing

•Stay home when you are sick or if your children are sick, do not send them to school

•Wash your hands frequently

•Get tested if you have symptoms or are a close contact

•And get vaccinated Submitted by St. Croix County Public Health