General COVID-19 Information
What is COVID-19?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
How does COVID-19 Spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19: | Or at least two of these symptoms: |
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Are You A Close Contact?
| Many health departments in Wisconsin are unable to establish communication with close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases due to the ongoing increase in new cases. Positive cases are being instructed to notify their close contacts when needed. If you are concerned about being exposed to someone with COVID-19, we encourage you to self-monitor your symptoms and seek testing if symptoms develop or no sooner than 3 days after your last exposure to the positive case. You can call the Health Department Intake Line at 715-349-7600 for specific contact-related questions. •For close contacts who do develop symptoms you should self-isolate for 5 days after your last exposure/onset of symptoms, self-monitor for symptoms, test on day 5 (exposure day is day zero) and then wear a well fitting mask for the next 5 days (days 6-10 from exposure). Even if you test negative once during your isolation period, you can develop symptoms and test positive later during the incubation period. Individuals can spread the virus 2 days before symptom onset. If you choose not to mast the remaining 5 days, please quarantine for the full 10 days. Quarantine for 10 full days after the time of exposure remains the safest strategy for preventing asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
•For close contacts who do not develop symptoms during the incubation period, you may quarantine for 5 days after your last exposure, self-monitor for symptoms, test on day 5 (exposure day is day zero) and then wear a well fitting mask for the next 5 days (days 6-10 from exposure). Even if you test negative once during your isolation period, you can develop symptoms and test positive later during the incubation period. Individuals can spread the virus 2 days before symptom onset. If you choose not to mast the remaining 5 days, please quarantine for the full 10 days. Quarantine for 10 full days after the time of exposure remains the safest strategy for preventing asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2. After the 5 day quarantine, it does not mean that close contacts are free to return to all normal activities - all close contacts must continue to adhere strictly to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, (i.e., consistent mask use, social distancing, and avoiding gatherings) for the FULL 10 DAYS after exposure. |
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| Fully Vaccinated: A person is fully vaccinated 14 days after they have completed either 2 doses of a mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or a single dose of a viral vector vaccine (J&J) and it has been less then 5 months since completion of that series. |
| Fully Boosted: A person is fully boosted immediately after receiving a booster dose of an mRNA or viral vector vaccine, 5 months or more after their primary series and are eligible for the booster (ages 12 and older for Pfizer, 18 and older for Moderna or J&J.) |
| Follow all guidance from DHS on what to do if you have had contact with someone who was diagnosed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why might Burnett County Public Health guidance be different than CDC guidance?
Burnett County Public Health is obligated by Wisconsin Law to follow Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) policies in place regarding COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.
- What do I need to do if I have been tested for COVID-19 and am waiting for the results? Follow guidance from DHS on self-isolation and self-monitoring of symptoms for at least 5 days since symptoms first began AND for at least 1 day after symptoms resolve. One must then wear a well fitting mask for the next 5 days. If a person refuses or cannot safely wear a mask, than they should isolate for the full 10 days.
You must isolate at home until you receive your test results.
If you receive a negative test result, follow these recommendations until at least 24 hours after your symptoms resolve (no fever and improvement in other symptoms). - What are the different types of tests and how long does it take to get results?
There are three types of tests used to diagnose COVID-19: Molecular (confirmatory), Antigen (non-confirmatory) and Home tests.
Molecular tests are the most accurate type of test used to diagnose active COVID-19 infection by detecting the virus's genetic material. These tests are often referred to as PCR or NAAT tests and must be analyzed in a reference lab. Molecular tests can take anywhere from a day to a week to return results.
Positive results from molecular tests result in "confirmed" case status.
Antigen tests detect specific proteins from the virus and are less accurate than molecular tests. Positive results are usually highly accurate, particularly in symptomatic individuals, but providers may order a confirmatory molecular test in situations where a symptomatic individual tests negative OR where an asymptomatic individual tests positive, depending on the circumstances leading to testing. Antigen tests can return results in as fast as 15-30 minutes depending on the specific test used.
Positive results from antigen tests result in "probable" case status.Home tests detect specific proteins from the virus much like antigen tests. These tests are self-administered and not proctored and depending on manner of administration and time of testing have unconfirmed results. Home tests are a great screening tool. Those who receive a positive result from a home test are not eligible for the 90 day post infection exemption from quarantine, because the result is not clinically documented.
Positive results from home tests result in "suspect" case status.
Antibody tests may show if you have been infected by COVID-19 in the past. These tests are run using blood samples and have varying degrees of accuracy. Antibody tests cannot be used to diagnose COVID-19. Researchers do not know how long antibodies stay in the body following infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and do not know if antibodies give you protective immunity against the virus. Individuals who have had a previous COVID-19 infection are advised to continue taking protective measures, such as physical distancing, mask wearing, and hand hygiene.More information about COVID-19 tests can be found in this FDA fact sheet or this DHS publication
- What is the difference between a Confirmed case and a Probable case?
Cases are classified using the national case definition established by CDC and the CSTE (Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists).
Confirmed: individuals who have a positive molecular test (PCR) result detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus (see testing information above), with or without the presence of symptoms.Probable: individuals with a postive non-confirmatory test (antigen, see testing information above) OR close contacts of lab confirmed cases who have developed symptoms but have not been tested.
Burnett County Positive case counts that are reported daily on the Burnett County Facebook Page are a combination of the positive PCR cases and the positive antigen cases. - How are COVID-19 deaths reported?
COVID-19 Deaths: deaths among confirmed cases of COVID-19 that meet the vital records criteria set forth by the CDC and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) case definition. Those are deaths that have a death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as an underlying cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.
Deaths among people with COVID-19 that were the result of non-COVID reasons (e.g., accident, overdose, etc.) are not included as a COVID-19 death. - If I wear a cloth face covering (homemade mask, scarf, bandana, etc.) in public, do I still need to practice physical distancing?
YES! Physical distancing is the most important tool we have to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.There is growing evidence to suggest that wearing cloth face coverings in public can reduce the spread of COVID-19 by infected people. It acts as a physical barrier between your cough/sneeze/spit and the air. The virus can spread before people show symptoms or while they are showing mild symptoms. This helps to protect the people around you. Physical distancing will protect you.
Wearing a cloth face covering does not reduce immune system function or increase Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to a level noticeable by the wearer. - Is a KN95 or other tight fitting mask better than a cloth mask?
YES! The higher the quality of the mask and the tighter the fit, the better the protection. Any face covering is better than nothing.
If you are looking for a KN95 mask and are unable to find them, please contact the Public Health Intake Worker and request a few. Burnett County Public Health has a limited supply available to the public who would like them. - What is "Physical Distancing" and why should I do it?
Physical distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chance of contracting COVID-19. Examples include: cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings, not shaking hands, avoiding large group gatherings or activities, and staying home as much as possible.
Physical distancing can help slow the spread of COVID-19.People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:
◦Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home)
◦Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
◦Cover coughs and sneezes
◦Avoid touching your face
◦Stay home when sick