Fond du Lac County sets up screening, test sites amid coronavirus confirmation

State officials say they now have more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.

The Department of Health Services says two patients in Fond du Lac County were exposed to the virus while traveling.

One of those patients was traveling within the United States, while another was traveling internationally.

Officials say one of those patients is hospitalized, and the other is isolated at home.

VISIT

for complete coverage of the pandemic in Wisconsin and beyond.

The other confirmed case is out of Waukesha County, who was traveling in the United States and internationally, and is isolated at home.

“Additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 weren't unexpected as this illness spreads across the country. These latest confirmed cases should remind us how important it is to follow the recommended steps to prevent illness and contain the spread of COVID-19,” said State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers.

Health officials have not said where the patients are from in Fond du Lac and Waukesha Counties.

Kimberly Mueller, Health Officer for the Fond du Lac County Health Department, says they are working with their partners and local hospital systems to "ensure we are getting residents the care and testing they need to ensure we are protecting the community as a whole."

Health officials are working to find out who all three patients have been in contact with, and will isolate or quarantine them, and also test anyone who is showing symptoms.

The Fond du Lac County Health Department states that a screening location has been established. Those who need testing will be sent to a testing site in the county.

Anyone with questions should contact Fond du Lac County Health at (844) 225-0147.

for the CDC's coronavirus website.

The Department of Health Services says anyone who has traveled in the past 14 days to locations where there is community spread of the virus, both international and national, are asked to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms during that time.

If you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should then contact your local health department and health care provider for possible testing.

You should then call ahead before arriving at a health care facility for testing.

Previous cases reported in the state included two in Dane County, and one in Pierce County.

One of those cases involved a person being isolated at home, and has since recovered.

The other two cases were announced earlier this week, and both people are currently isolated at their homes.

Health officials add as COVID-19 spreads in the country, temporary closures of colleges and universities, child care facilities and schools may be done in order to slow the spread of disease, as well as workplace social distancing, and replacing in-person meetings with teleworking and modifying, postponing, or canceling mass gatherings.

MORE COVERAGE:

President Donald Trump

on travel to Europe--with the exception of the UK--to combat the spread. The president has also postponed an upcoming visit to Milwaukee.

Older people and those with underlying health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease) are considered at high risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

"The virus is found in droplets from the throat and nose. When someone coughs or sneezes, other people near them can breathe in those droplets. The virus can also spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it. If that person touches their mouth, face, or eyes the virus can make them sick," says the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

DHS recommends taking these steps to help stop the spread of the virus:

--Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water.

--Covering coughs and sneezes.

--Avoiding touching your face.

--Staying home when sick.

The virus originated in Wuhan, China. The spread started in December 2019.