COVID-19

I HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, STAY HOME AND ISOLATE to avoid spreading illness to others. Follow CDC Isolation Guidelines here: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19| CDC

Click here to use the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator

Notify your close contacts.  Anyone with a COVID-19 exposure should follow exposure guidance found here:  CDC- What to do if you were exposed to COVID-19

I HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF I SHOULD TEST OR HOW TO FIND A TEST.

There are many possible symptoms of COVID-19 including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, abnormal tiredness/fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These same symptoms can also be symptoms of other viruses. Everyone with symptoms should seek out testing.

  • If you have these symptoms, you should be tested. Call your health care provider to request testing, call a local pharmacy, or get tested at a community testing site.
  • Stay home and isolate away from others while you wait for your test results. Do not go to work, school or daycare. Stay away from household members as much as possible.
  • Monitor your symptoms and call your health care provider if symptoms worsen.
  • For more information on where to find testing options, click on the Testing tab below.

 

I AM A CLOSE CONTACT TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 BUT I AM NOT SICK. DO I NEED TO STAY HOME?

Definition of Close Contact: Close contacts were around someone who is positive for COVID-19 (less than 6 feet away for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) during the two-day period before the positive person first had symptoms OR if they did not have symptoms, two days before they were tested for COVID-19, through to the time they started isolation.

After exposure to COVID-19, everyone should wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others for 10 days after the exposure and monitor for symptoms. Avoid being around people who are immunocompromised.

You can still develop COVID-19 for up to 10 days after you have been exposed.

If you have or develop any symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and get tested as soon as possible. 

Even if you do not develop any symptoms, it is recommended to get tested on Day 6 after your last exposure. 

For up-to-date information on exposure guidelines, visit CDC- What to do if you were exposed to COVID-19

 

I LIVE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19. WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID COVID-19?

The person with COVID-19 should use a separate space (bedroom, bathroom). Food and other necessities should be left in an area for them to retrieve it without others present. All individuals within the household should wear a mask if possible when around others.

Other measures include getting vaccinated, increase ventilation, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect high touch areas regularly.

For more information, visit How to Protect Yourself & Others | CDC

 

I AM A HEALTH CARE WORKER AND IN ISOLATION/QUARANTINE FOR COVID-19. IS GUIDANCE DIFFERENT FOR ME?

If you are a health care worker, follow Healthcare Workers Information on COVID-19/CDC.

 

I AM POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND MY EMPLOYER IS REQUESTING A LETTER IN ORDER FOR ME TO ISOLATE/RETURN TO WORK. HOW DO I PROVIDE A LETTER?

Click the option below to request a letter that best fits your needs:

Quarantine Letter (if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19)

Isolation Letter (if you have tested positive for COVID-19)

As of February 25, 2022, the CDC has updated its recommended indicators for monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on communities, changing from community transmission to COVID-19 Community Levels – Low, Medium, or High.

COVID-19 Community Levels is a tool used to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.  The levels are determined based on three key metrics: 

 1. New COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.  

 2. The average percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in the past 7 days. 

 3. The number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. 

Click here to find your County’s Community Level and to learn more about Community Level Guidance.

This new CDC guidance does not change current quarantine (if you are exposed) and isolation (if you test positive) guidance.  The new Community Levels do not apply to health care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Instead, health care settings should continue to use community transmission rates and follow CDC’s infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare guidance. 

 

Monroe County Health Department will be sharing the updated respiratory virus and hospital data weekly on Fridays.  If you would like additional COVID-19 data, visit:

Wisconsin DHS

CDC

*Please Note: The reported positive case numbers do not include home tests, as those test results are not automatically reported to the local health department.*

COVID-19 cases and testing among Afghan guests who spent time at Fort McCoy are not included in our weekly or aggregate data as these cases/tests are considered under a separate jurisdiction for reporting purposes.

All cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are reported to the State, but aren’t always reported to the local Health Department.

We ask for your continued support in helping to stop the spread of this virus.  Get vaccinated, if you are able.  COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at reducing your risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death caused by COVID-19.  Visit https://www.vaccines.gov or call 608-269-8666 to schedule your appointment today.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends the following prevention strategies for staying safe:

 

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration has ended as of May 11, 2023.  The CDC has replaced COVID-19 Community Levels with COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels to guide prevention decisions.  To learn more about the guidance for Hospital Admission Levels, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html 

The Respiratory Virus and Hospital Data Report below includes data from the Wisconsin Western Region. This data reports is compiled by the Western Region Public Health Readiness Consortium (WWPHRC), of which Monroe County Health Department is a member.   Additional COVID data can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/data.htm and https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home .

 

Aggregate data will be updated on the first Friday of each month.

For more information on daily county-level COVID-19 data, visit:

Wisconsin DHS COVID-19: County Data

CDC County Data Tracker

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/testing.htm

Healthcare Testing:

*When testing at your local health systems, be sure to CALL FIRST.

  • Gundersen Nurse Line: 608-775-4454
  • Mayo Nurse Line: 507-293-9525
  • Scenic Bluffs Health Center: 608-654-5100
  • Mile Bluff medical Center-Mausten: 608-847-5000

Other Locations:

For more information about available testing sites throughout Wisconsin, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm

*Dates and times vary. Check the DHS website for more details on availability*

 

Other local testing sites in the region include:

(Click on each county for more information)

Jackson County

Juneau County

La Crosse County

Vernon County

 
Walgreens

COVID-19 testing is available at various locations in La Crosse, also Sparta, Viroqua, Mauston, and Reedsburg. More information is available here.

 

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy-Tomah

Call to make an appointment. 608-372-2101

 

At-Home COVID-19 Testing

Free Antigen Testing Kits :

https://sayyescovidhometest.org/

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging Wisconsinites to order free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and have them delivered directly to their house through the state-supported Say Yes! COVID Test program. All Wisconsin households are eligible to place an order every month for two free test kit that each contain five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests on the Say Yes! COVID Test website.  

 

Are your current test kits expired? 

Click here to find the latest on extended expiration dates. 

Next steps after being tested:

English: Next Steps: While You Wait for Your COVID-19 Test Results

Spanish: Next Steps: While You Wait for Your COVID-19

Please note: Anyone age 6 months+ is currently eligible for vaccination.  

Visit vaccines.gov or call 211 to find COVID-19 vaccines near you.

 

For more information, about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit:

CDC Vaccine Information

Wisconsin DHS Vaccine Information

World Health Organization Vaccine Information

Mayo Clinic Health System COVID Myths Debunked

Pfizer

Moderna

Janssen

Novavax

 

  • Monroe County Health Department (315 W. Oak St., Sparta)

Fridays from 8:30am-4:00pm (*Closed April 7th)

 

Please call 608-269-8666 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins available.

 

All COVID-19 vaccines are provided for free. No insurance required.

 

Available vaccine:

Moderna – bivalent booster for ages 6 years and older.  

Pfizer – 3-dose primary series and bivalent booster for ages 12 years and older

 

  • Walgreens

The COVID-19 vaccine is available at a variety of local Walgreens locations. Locally, vaccination appointments are available in Sparta, Mauston, La Crosse, Onalaska and Viroqua

Visit their website to learn more or schedule an appointment: Walgreens’ website or call 1-800-Walgreens with questions.

  • Wal-Mart

Vaccine is available at a variety of local Wal-Mart locations. Locally, vaccination appointments are available in Sparta, Tomah, Onalaska, La Crosse, Black River Falls, and Viroqua

Visit their website to learn more or schedule an appointment: Wal-Mart website.

  • The Medicine Shoppe

300 Superior Ave, Tomah, WI 54660

By appointment only- call 608-372-2101 or stop-in to schedule

  • Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers has regular vaccine appointments.  Please visit their website for their most current vaccine scheduling opportunities and information.

https://www.scenicbluffs.org/Contact/Get-Vaccinated-for-COVID-19

  • Gundersen Health System

For information on getting vaccinated through Gundersen Health System, visit their COVID-19 Vaccine website https://www.gundersenhealth.org/covid19/covid-19-vaccine/

  • Mayo Clinic Health System

For information on getting vaccinated through Mayo Clinic Health Systems, visit their COVID-19 Vaccine website.

La Crosse —

Mayo Clinic patients can directly schedule their vaccination appointment using Patient Online Services or the Mayo Clinic App. Check availability in the “New Appointment” section of Patient Online Services. Select the “COVID-19 Vaccination” box to determine if times are available.

If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System patient currently or do not have access to Patient Online Services, call 608-392-7400 to schedule a vaccine appointment. 

Sparta and Tomah –

Vaccinations are available from primary care providers at all locations. Use your Patient Online Services account to schedule your vaccine appointment, or call your primary care provider.

 For more information call the Sparta clinic at 608-269-1770, or the Tomah clinic at 608-372-5951.

  • Other Vaccinators

Some vaccination partners may host clinics through employers or for specific populations. This information would be provided directly by the vaccinator. 

You may also find vaccine clinics and locations at vaccines.gov.

 

Who can be vaccinated? 

Find the latest COVID-19 vaccination information here:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html 

 

What is the difference between Additional Dose and Booster Dose?

Click on the following links to learn more:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services- Additional & Booster Doses

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Booster Dose information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Additional Dose Information

 

Am I up to date on my COVID-19 vaccines?

Click here to use an online calculator tool from the CDC to determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. This tool is intended to help you make decisions about getting COVID-19 vaccinations. It should not be used to diagnose or treat COVID-19.

 

What do I do after I get my vaccine?

Next Steps: After You Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine (English)

Next Steps: After You Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine (Spanish)

 

Which brand of vaccine is best?

All approved COVID-19 vaccine options are highly effective in preventing death, hospitalizations, and severe COVID-19 illness. As soon as you are eligible to receive the vaccine and the vaccine is available, take any opportunity to get it.

 

How many vaccines have been given in Monroe County?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services tracks this data here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm. You can see how many vaccines have been given in Wisconsin, the Western Region, and Monroe County. 

 

Why do we need a vaccine? 

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your community. A COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness or death caused by COVID-19 and potentially prevent you from spreading the virus to others. It is important to note that a vaccine will not replace the need to continue other actions that stop the spread of COVID-19. 

 

Is the vaccine safe and effective?

Yes. The FDA, CDC, and independent advisors all review vaccine safety and effectiveness data before any vaccine is approved or allowed for distribution. COVID-19 vaccines have gone through all of the usual steps and phases that all vaccines go through to get full approval. The FDA and CDC will continue to closely monitor the vaccine as it is rolled out.  You can visit the CDC’s website for more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html. 

 

After I get the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask and social distance?

Please see the CDC’s new webpage Stay Up To Date With Your Vaccine for more details and guidance. 

 

I had COVID-19, should I get vaccinated?  When is it safe to get vaccinated after infection?

You may need to wait to receive your vaccine. If you received treatment for COVID-19 or if you have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-A or MIS-C), you should talk to your healthcare provider to determine if you need to wait.

For those who had COVID-19 and are out of isolation, yes you should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19. Getting sick with COVID-19 offers some protection from future illness with COVID-19, sometimes called “natural immunity.” The level of protection people have from COVID-19 may vary.

 

I am a healthcare worker or retired healthcare worker, how can I volunteer to help with COVID vaccination or other needs? 

We are accepting volunteers through the WEAVR database: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/weavr/index.htm. When we are ready to take volunteers, we will be contacting you from this database. 

 

I have a medical condition and have questions about how my body will react to the vaccine.

Please connect with your provider or utilize the following nurse line resources before registering or scheduling your appointment:

    • Gundersen: 608-775-4454 or click here
    • Mayo:  608-785-0940 and ask for the Nurse Line
    • Tomah Health: 608-372-2181
    • Scenic Bluffs: Cashton – 608-654-5100;  Norwalk- 608-823-7853

 

Is transportation available to vaccine appointments?

Same-day transportation is available to eligible BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid Members. To schedule a ride, members may call MTM, Inc. at 866-907-1493 (TTY 711). When scheduling their ride, members will be asked to provide their ForwardHealth ID (from their ForwardHealth card) and the address of the vaccination site. For more information regarding scheduling rides, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/nemt/index.htm

For best practices related to keeping workplaces and other community facilities safe, please see the following resources:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ COVID-19 Recommendations for Businesses, Employers, and Workers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Guidance for Specific Industries and Occupations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Guidelines for Community, Work, and School

Disability Information and Access Line