Dire Message for Madison: Assume You May Be Exposed

Dane County and Madison leaders emphasize staying home as virus spreads

A dire warning was issued Friday by the mayor of Madison and the Dane County executive, urging residents to stay at home, limit their travel, and to assume they will come in contact with the deadly COVID-19 virus if they are in contact with others. 

“We are at a point where people need to assume if they go out to facilities or come into contact with other individuals, they have come in contact with COVID-19,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi in a joint statement with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. 

“While the current number of confirmed cases in Dane County is 138 as of Friday morning, “it is safe to assume that there are many more cases that are out in the community but not confirmed,” read the release.

That total is the second-highest in the state, behind Milwaukee County.

“If you are in contact with other people for any reason you should assume that you may be exposed and that you may be spreading the disease,” read the statement.

On Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers’ “safer at home” order took effect. The order limits the types of businesses allowed to stay open to only those deemed “essential,” such as grocery stores, hardware stories, plumbers, electricians, pharmacies and healthcare providers.

People are supposed to be working for home, if possible, and limiting trips outside their home to slow the spread of the virus in an effort to not overwhelm the state’s healthcare system with patients needing acute respiratory care. 

To date, there are 707 positive cases and eight COVID-19-related deaths in Wisconsin, with 138 positive cases and one death in Dane County, according to the state Department of Health Services. 

“The consequences of your actions may be life or death. The virus doesn’t spread itself, people are spreading it. We are spreading it,” said Rhodes-Conway. “Madison and Dane County are calling on everyone in Dane County to take this seriously and do their part.”

For Dane County updates, visit the Dane County COVID-19 dashboard.