Contained so far, Evers stresses preventative measures and monitoring
Following news that for the first time the potentially deadly coronavirus had infected more people in a single day outside of rather than inside China, Gov. Tony Evers said Wisconsin has “so far been successful at containing the virus.”
To date, there is one confirmed case in Wisconsin, with 17 others testing negative for the virus, according to the state Department of Health Services.
At a news conference Wednesday, Evers said staff with the state Department of Health Services is in “constant contact” with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are functioning in a preventative mode,” Evers said. “If there are significant issues we will take it to the next level.”
The preventative measures Evers mentions includes covering your mouth when you cough, frequently washing your hands and staying home if you are sick.
“The idea is to make sure there is distance between people with symptoms and the public,” he said.
On Jan. 30, a patient flying into Madison presented at the University Hospital emergency department. The unidentified person had recently traveled to Beijing, China, and interacted with individuals from Wuhan, China. The individual presented with symptoms consistent with the virus upon their return to Madison, according to a statement by UW Health.
The statement added that after initial treatment, the patient was self-quarantined at home.
To date, 2,766 people worldwide have died of the virus. It has spread to 37 countries and infected 81,000 people.
“We have been successful in Wisconsin,” Evers said. “There are no new cases.”
Jessica VanEgeren A veteran state politics reporter, Jessica previously worked in the capitol bureau of The Capital Times for several years. She has also reported on government and transportation issues in South Carolina, authoring a related book in the process. Jessica is also a Registered Nurse.
