Coronavirus Disease COVID-19

These guidelines and recommendations supersede and replace the May 14, 2020, Order of the Door County Health Officer, the April 22, 2020 Revised Health Order: Modified Campground Operations in Door County, and the April 15, 2020 Health Order: Temporary Closure of all Campgrounds Within Door County. The goals are to safely re-open Door County, minimize exposures to COVID-19, and slow the spread of the disease. It will require all persons within Door County to take responsibility, work cooperatively together, and support best practices if these goals are to be achieved.

It’s important to remember that at present, the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Background information:

1. COVID-19 is an easily transmittable communicable disease spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person which has achieved worldwide pandemic status. There are approximately 4.4 million confirmed positive cases and 300,000 deaths worldwide, 1.4 million confirmed positive cases and 88,000 deaths in the United States and 12,000 positive cases and 450 deaths in Wisconsin.

2. COVID-19 is currently present and being actively transmitted in Door County, Wisconsin. As of May 19, 2020, there are 34 confirmed positive cases, with 14 cases recovered, and 3 deaths.

3. Wisconsin saw meaningful benefits from the statewide "Safer at Home Order". These benefits included flattening the curve of COVID-19 infection (i.e., slow the spread of the virus, preservation of healthcare resources, and save lives) in Wisconsin.

4. May 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision declaring "Safer at Home" unlawful, invalid and unenforceable. The State Legislature and Governor have not, to date, worked together to establish a lawful rule that addresses COVID-19. County and municipal governments have been left to local control.

5. Door County is a popular tourist destination and home to many seasonal residents. Local businesses rely on seasonal workers, many who travel from out of state and county to work in Door County. The expected influx of these individuals has the potential to further the spread COVID infection, and tax our health care system.

6. Door County has approximately 30% of its population that is age 65 or older, and data demonstrates that the aged population is particularly vulnerable to the severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 virus along with all groups those that have underlying health issues.

Basic recommendations for everyone:

Physical distance, maintaining six (6) feet between people.
Wear cloth face coverings (masks) when out in public.
Practice good hand hygiene: wash your hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items/surfaces.
Clean/sanitize frequently touched surfaces.
Avoid going to places where safety measures are not in place.
If you are sick, stay home and call your healthcare provider about testing.
Limit travel to reduce the potential for virus transmission.

The Door County Health Officer offers the following as guidelines and recommendations:
Persons (e.g., businesses and individuals) are strongly encouraged to review, become and remain familiar with, and comply with the WEDC, CDC, WDHS and OSHA guidelines and recommendations.
These may be found at:

A. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation ("WEDC"} has compiled a series of industry specific documents to help businesses reopen. These may be found at: https://wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/.

B. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has developed guidance for businesses related to COVID-19. This guidance may be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

C. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services ("WDHS") has developed guidance for businesses related to COVID-19. This guidance may be found at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/employers.htm

D. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") has developed guidance for businesses related to COVID-19. This guidance may be found at:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

These references may change as we learn more about COVID-19 and we encourage checking for updates. Doing so will help you get back to business while taking the necessary precautions to maximize safety and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Enforcement: Compliance with these guidelines and recommendations by persons (businesses or individuals) are encouraged, but voluntary. Non-compliance may have serious repercussions to the health and safety of our residents and visitors. Verified complaints of persistent non-compliance may be investigated. If substantiated, a notice and an opportunity to correct will be provided. If non-compliance persists a targeted order may be issued under Sec. 252.03, Wis. Stats.

Duration: This communication shall become effective May 19, 2020 and shall remain in effect until revoked or superseded by subsequent recommendations or order.

As Door County Health Officer, I recognize this situation will continue to evolve and may require future orders to suppress, prevent and control the spread of communicable disease, as well as protect the public’s health and safety. The expectation is that individuals and businesses will voluntarily follow guidance and recommendations from public health to protect each other. Future decisions will be consistent with established legal authority granted to Local Health Officers, pursuant to Sec. 252.03, Wis. Stats. Considerations include scientific data, local information, and the benefits associated with continuation/resumption of local personal activities and business.

Thank you all for your previous and anticipated ongoing cooperation to keeping our community safe as we navigate this in the coming months. It is my hope that our community will continue to take the threat of the virus seriously and take precautions to slow its spread as we enter this next phase of reopening our County.

Your efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 are appreciated by those who live, work and enjoy Door County.

Dated this 19th day of May, 2020.

Susan Powers, RN, BSN
Door County Health Officer/Public Health Manager

COVID-19 Confirmed Cases as of 5/18/2020 - 2:00 pm

Door County		Wisconsin
Positive Cases	34	Positive Cases	12,885
Deaths	3
Recovered	14	Negative Cases	148,237
Negative Cases	622	Deaths	467
Tests Pending	320
Tests Performed	976

Wisconsin Department of Health Services still recommends that residents cancel or postpone all nonessential travel, including travel within the state, due to widespread community transmission of COVID-19.

If you traveled anywhere outside of your local community in the past 14 days, you are being asked to stay home and monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days after you returned.

If you were able to practice social distancing during the entire time you were away (for example, you stayed in your car by yourself and kept at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others), you should still monitor your symptoms and practice social distancing.

Through Public Health’s investigation it has been determined that community spread of COVID-19 is now present in Door County.

Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown.

Our best defense against COVID-19 is washing our hands frequently; avoiding touching our eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; wearing a cloth face covering in public; avoiding being around sick people; and physically distancing by staying at home

If you have immediate questions, you may contact Public Health during business hours.
Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: (920)-746-2234

Coronavirus Disease COVID-19

DOOR COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE

May 19, 2020