Health Department Situation Update 10/14/22

Winnebago County Health Department

Health Department Situation Update

October 14, 2022, 1:30 p.m.

GENERAL NEWS

We're Hiring a Communicable Disease Supervisor! This position provides team leadership and manages operations for the Communicable Disease Division. They are also responsible for communicable disease report follow-up including tuberculosis, HIV, STIs, outbreak management, immunizations, and refugee health screening. As part of the department leadership team, this position will contribute to planning, preparedness, communications, performance management, quality improvement, and assurance of the efficient use of resources for the delivery of the highest level of programs and services to advance the health of our communities. To learn more or apply, please click here.

Well Compensation Program: Do you or someone you know have a well that needs replacing, fixing, or abandonment? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance and grants to eligible well owners to address contamination through replacement, reconstruction, treatment or abandonment of wells. Complete the Well Compensation Grant Preliminary Eligibility questionnaire to determine if you're eligible. Those who are eligible can apply on the Well Compensation Grant Program webpage.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): The DNR encourages hunters to get their deer tested for CWD before consuming venison. Because infected deer can look healthy, DHS encourages testing for the disease regardless of your harvested deer’s physical condition, especially in areas where CWD is known to be present. The DNR has made CWD testing easy and accessible to every hunter in the state by offering free testing and various options to make the sample drop-off process fast and convenient. For more information or to find a testing location please visit here.

Free Fentanyl Test Strips Available Across Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that 120,600 fentanyl test strips have been distributed to organizations across the state to help prevent drug overdose deaths. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin. The first phase of the fentanyl test strip distribution program is funded by $1.25 million from Wisconsin’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act, and is one of many strategies DHS is using to reduce the harms of drug use. You can get test strips at the Winnebago County Health Department location in Oshkosh during normal business hours. People struggling with substance use can contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline to be connected to treatment options. Call 211 or go to addictionhelpwi.org.

COVID-19

COVID-19 Data Summary:

Updated 10/13/22

Click the button below to access the data summary.

For more COVID-19 vaccine data, please see the DHS website.

For additional demographic information, please see this DHS web page.

Pediatric Updated Bivalent Boosters: The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the updated bivalent booster for younger children and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) also recommends the booster. The Winnebago County Health Department must wait for updated procedures and training from DHS before we are able to give this updated booster to children ages 5 through 11. The updated booster is available to those 12 years and older at all WCHD clinics. Updates and information will be shared on our Facebook page as well as www.wcvaccine.org.

COVID-19 Therapeutics: Most people who get COVID-19 have mild illness and can treat themselves at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to decrease fever and discomfort. For people at higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 illness, medications called monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals are available throughout the state. COVID-19 oral antivirals are pills taken by mouth at home after someone has tested positive for COVID-19. They help the body fight off the virus that causes COVID-19 and are proven to reduce serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death. A prescription is required for these medications. These treatments need to start within five days of symptom onset, so it is important that people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 do not delay – they should test and seek treatment right away. Oral antiviral pills are available at over 600 pharmacies across the state. To get a prescription, you can visit a health care clinic, a community health center, walk-in clinic or a Test to Treat site, and for Paxlovid, you may be able to get a prescription from a pharmacist.

Help Prevent the Spread: With the colder weather many of our activities and pastimes are moving indoors putting us in closer contact with others. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by doing a few simple things:
Wash your hands frequently.
Cover your mouth when you cough.
Consider wearing a mask if you will be with others who are considered high risk.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses.
Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Take an at home test before or after attending an event to ensure the health of yourself and others.
Stay home if you have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms.

MONKEYPOX

Vaccine Available at the Winnebago County Health Department: Our Health Department is currently offering the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine, by appointment only, to anyone eligible. Prioritization is based on guidelines provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). To make an appointment or see if you are eligible, call our hotline at 920-232-3026 or email [email protected].

Monkeypox Data Page: DHS launched a new Monkeypox Data Page which contains state data on monkeypox cases and vaccine administration. An in-depth summary report that highlights case demographics, hospitalizations, and vaccine allocation and administration efforts is also provided. The detailed demographic data will be updated monthly and the county case counts will be updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Download: PDF / PNG

(English)

Download: PDF / PNG

(Spanish)

What You Need To Know: For information about cause, transmission, symptoms, treatment, vaccine and other prevention recommendations for Monkeypox, please visit the Winnebago County Health Department website or call the Health Department Hotline: 920-232-3026. Additional information and resources available at the DHS website.

For more Monkeypox data, please see CDC's website.

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

COVID-19, Monkeypox, other general public health concerns - Visit Winnebago County Health Department website or call the Health Department Hotline: 920-232-3026.

Non-medical related concerns (Utility, Food & Housing Assistance, Elder Care, Crisis Intervention, Alcohol & Drug Recovery and Much More) - contact 211 or visit their website.

Complete this form to receive Situation Updates from the Winnebago County Health Department.

Winnebago County Health Department

920-232-3000

Please distribute widely. The format may be altered when forwarded in an email. Find a shareable link here.