CRCHD jurisdiction is in the "High" risk category.
AVOID CROWDS in CLOSED SPACES in CLOSE CONTACT!
Recommendations and Resources
General Recommendations:
- Get vaccinated if you are eligible! See information on "Fully Vaccinated" benefits.
- When you go out, wear a mask and maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others. Even though we are making progress on vaccines, there are still many more people unvaccinated than vaccinated.
- Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Avoid large gatherings, when possible. For Events & Gatherings, see CDC Guidance for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings.
- Utilize the Wisconsin DHS Staying Safe in Your Community webpage that now includes guidance for many different types of Spring and Summer activities.
- Avoid all unnecessary travel. For travel, see CDC Travel Guidance.
- If you feel sick, stay home.
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
Click each graph to enlarge the image. Updated as of 4.19.2021 at 2:38 p.m.
Recommendations and Resources for Businesses
Recommendations and Resources for Schools and Daycares
- Implement a combination of virtual and in-person learning (as long as masking and social distancing are enforced) with CRCHD in the "High" risk category.
- If a school is open, on a case-by-case basis CRCHD will review outbreak data and several factors, including but not limited to number of positive cases, extent of exposure, and contact tracing capacity and will make recommendations about a class, school, or district level option e.g. move to hybrid or virtual schooling. Schools and district administrators may also choose to close their schools and districts based on impediments to school functioning, such as high absenteeism and staff shortages.
- WI DPI's Education Forward: Operating Schools During a Pandemic
- WI DHS's Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin
- What to do when you have a positive COVID-19 case in school: CRCHD COVID-19 in School Fact Sheet
- Parent resources:
- Winter sports are not recommended as the jurisdiction is in the "Very High" risk category. If schools decide to move forward with winter sports, they should follow the WIAA Winter Sports Guidelines.
- It is recommended there be NO spectators. If spectators are present, the limit should be 25% capacity or less with masks and physical distancing enforced.
- Please see the recommended Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Return to Play After COVID-19 Infection in Pediatric Patients. It will be up to school staff to implement the guidance provided and confirm that affected students meet the requirements to return to athletics.
- In addition, all schools, parents, and athletes should expect large numbers of quarantined students, especially for sports with closer contact.
- WI DHS's Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Child Care Settings
Recommendations and Resources for Healthcare Facilities
What to Do if You Are Sick
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested (see Where can You Get Tested) and stay home until test results come back. If test results are positive, see below "What to Do If You Test Positive."
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Notify dispatch that you have or may have COVID-19.
- If you are unsure if you should be tested, call your local provider. If you have an appointment, please tell them you may have COVID-19.
Where You Can Get Tested
- For testing with your healthcare provider, call prior to arriving unless it is an emergency.
- For Statewide private and community testing sites:
- Learn the Difference Between Common COVID-19 Test Types: Fact Sheet
- What should I do after I get tested?
- While you wait for your COVID-19 test results, continue to take steps to keep yourself and others safe. Follow recommendations to self-isolate and self-monitor in order to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19.
- Were you tested for COVID-19 at a Community Testing Site?
- If yes, You will be notified of your test results by phone or email. If you have been waiting for more than five days for your results from a community testing site, call the results hotline at 1-866-419-6988, Monday - Friday 8 AM - 6 PM.
- Where can I get an antigen test?
- Antigen tests for public are currently not available at Wisconsin National Guard (WING) Community Testing Sites. However, some other Community Testing Sites may have antigen testing for public e.g. University of Wisconsin testing sites. Or, call your healthcare provider to see if they have antigen testing.
- Where can I get an antibody test?
- Some Pick 'n Save and Metro Market sites offer antibody testing. ANTIBODY TESTING CANNOT BE USED TO REPLACE OR GET OUT OF QUARANTINE.
What to Do if You Test Positive
- Isolate at home
- Identify and notify your close contacts
- Notify those who need to know such as your workplace, school, and daycare.
- Answer the phone call from your local health department.
- You do not need to be tested again if you have recently had a positive test. Your test may be positive for many weeks after you recover. You do not need a negative test to stop isolating.
What to Do if You Are Exposed
- A Close Contact is defined as any of the following:
- Closer than 6 feet, for 15 minutes or more total in a day
- Direct exposure to coughs, sneezes, or other bodily fluids
- Direct physical contact with someone e.g. hug, kiss, handshake
- Living or having spent the night with someone
- What is quarantine? Please see CRCHD Quarantine Guidelines or DHS COVID-19: Diagnosed or Close Contact?
- New CDC Guidelines have options for the 14-day quarantine for close contacts to be shortened to 7-10 days. As long as individuals have not had any symptoms, then they can end quarantine after 7 days and an approved negative test result or after 10 days without a test. However, the CDC "gold standard" for quarantine remains 14 days, because the incubation period for COVID-19 is 2-14 days. CRCHD can help support the 10-day option. However, for the 7-day option, individuals will need to coordinate with their employer or school for early release - this cannot be facilitated through CRCHD. It will be the decision of each employer and school to determine which option they will use for quarantine: (1) 14-day quarantine/no testing/no symptoms, (2) 10-day quarantine/no testing/no symptoms/monitor for symptoms days 11-14, or (3) 7-day quarantine/negative approved-test/no symptoms/monitor for symptoms days 8-14.
- How long do you need to quarantine? Please see CRCHD Quarantine Fact Sheet or Next Steps: Close Contacts of Someone With COVID-19
- If you develop COVID-19 symptoms during quarantine, you should get tested (see Where can You get Tested?)
- Even if you have a negative test during quarantine, you still need to stay home for 14 days.
- Click here for the 14-Day CRCHD COVID-19 Quarantine Letter form. Please complete this form if you need documentation of your quarantine for employment or school purposes.
- Click here for the 10-Day CRCHD COVID-19 Quarantine Letter form. Please complete this form if you need documentation of your quarantine for employment or school purposes.