MONROE — After nearly two years responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Green County Public Health is transitioning away from universal disease investigation and contact tracing for individual cases of COVID-19. Their time and resources will shift to increased vaccination, increased testing, additional education and outbreak prevention efforts. This change comes after messaging from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and joint statement from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, encouraging local health departments to focus on activities that are expected to yield the greatest benefit in terms of preventing severe COVID-19 disease.
The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted, as such, the response approach needs to shift too. The evolution of COVID-19 variants, widespread availability of vaccines, availability of at-home tests, the development of new epidemiology tools, such as genomic surveillance, and a growing role for COVID-19 therapeutics have given medicine and public health a broader set of tools to mitigate the burden of COVID-19 disease. The substantial amount of new COVID-19 cases being recorded due to the Omicron variant, as well as its shorter incubation period, reduces feasibility and utility of universal case investigation for all reported COVID-19 cases.
“COVID-19 transmission is happening so rapidly that by the time our team is involved, everyone is already exposed or ill,” said RoAnn Warden, Director/Health Officer. “Green County Public Health is no longer contacting every positive case. We will provide technical assistance to high-priority environments to prevent severe disease and death in our most vulnerable populations such as long-term care facilities and schools. In addition, our team will continue to offer weekly vaccination and testing clinics as these are our most powerful tools at this stage in the pandemic,” added Warden.
Guidelines for quarantine and isolation have not changed. Individuals should continue to follow isolation (when testing positive) and quarantine (when exposed) guidelines provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals who have tested positive should promptly notify any close contacts of their exposure. In addition, people should notify their employer and/or school, childcare center. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should seek testing, immediately isolate to prevent transmission to others and talk to their healthcare provider about medical treatment if they are at higher risk for severe outcomes.
Settings such as schools, businesses, daycares who have implemented COVID-19 mitigation and prevention protocols to decrease transmission and prevent outbreaks, are encouraged to continue these efforts to protect vulnerable students, employees or individuals. Green County Public Health supports efforts that protect safety and continued operations. Their department will continue to work with these organizations to provide guidance, and help control and mitigate outbreaks. For additional information about isolation and quarantine, please visit their website: https://wigreencounty.
civicplus.com/420/COVID-19-Isolation-Quarantine
It is still incredibly important that individuals take actions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Everyone 5 years of age and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19, and those 12 years of age and older should get a booster dose when they are eligible. To find a vaccine provider visit vaccines.gov. Everyone over the age of 2 years old should wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public places.
To stay up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic please monitor the Green County Public Health website and Facebook page.
