Manitowoc County urging residents to avoid gatherings Labor Day weekend

Sept. 4, 2020

The Brillion News

The following press release was issued to The Brillion News from the Manitowoc County Health Department.

MANITOWOC - As we begin the holiday weekend, the Manitowoc County Health Department urges residents to avoid gatherings, events and crowded spaces. Cases of COVID-19 have nearly doubled in Manitowoc County over the past month with 239 new cases as well as the County’s second death reported during the month of August. Over the past few weeks, there has also been a marked increase in cases in rural parts of the County.

It is more critical now than ever that people follow health and safety guidelines to reduce the spread of the disease as schools reopen their doors and our nursing homes continue to provide care for those most at-risk. This includes wearing a mask, limiting contact with people outside of your household, staying at least six feet from others and practicing good hand hygiene. If you are feeling ill, stay home, consult with your doctor and get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms.

As people consider Labor Day plans, it’s important to remember that gatherings bring a high level of risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering, and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with and spreading COVID-19. According to the CDC, the risk of spreading COVID-19 at events and gatherings increases as follows:

• Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.

• More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear masks, and do not share objects.

• Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.

• Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.

Of course, staying home is the safest option for weekend celebrations. But if you must host or attend a gathering, consider ways to improve the safety for yourself and those around you. This includes getting together outdoors where there is better ventilation, establishing a backup plan in case of rain to avoid crowded indoor spaces, requiring masks, arranging tables and chairs in a way that encourages social distancing, and avoiding shared drinks and food.

The Health Department reminds everyone to be responsible and do their part to stop the spread of infection. Additional recommendations include:

• Staying home, especially if you are not feeling well

• Isolating from others if you are waiting for test results

• For those who are able, wearing a mask when in public

• Avoiding gathering and crowding together with people that you do not live with

• Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds

• Keeping a distance of at least six feet from those outside of your household