COVID-19
Survey shows significant cost increase and financial hardship for nursing homes in response to COVID-19
According to a recent survey held by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), a majority (55%) of nursing homes are operating at a loss now (nearly 90% at a razor thin margin or loss) with 72% saying they won’t be able to sustain operations another year at the current pace. This has been largely driven…
Read MoreElk Mound school board approves 5 day in-person instruction, masks required
By LeAnn R. Ralph ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound Board of Education has approved five-day per week in-person instruction, masks required, with virtual options for parents who do not want to send their children to school. The school board approved the risk mitigation re-entry plan for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic at a…
Read MoreDunn County Horse Tests Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Protect yourself against mosquito bites Menomonie – The Dunn County Health Department reports that two horses in Dunn County have tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which is caused by the EEE virus. This is the first documented EEE activity in the state this year. No EEE cases in humans have been reported in…
Read MoreWI Farm Support Program Reopens for Applications
MADISON – With $8.4 million still available to support Wisconsin agricultural producers, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reminds farmers who have been impacted by COVID-19 that the Wisconsin Farm Support Program is now open for a second round of applications until 11:59 PM on Monday, August 24. Producers of any…
Read MoreWI Poison Center and health agency issue warning about certain hand sanitizers
As the use of hand sanitizers has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the number of calls to poison centers related to possible toxic alcohol exposures. More hand sanitizer is being produced, either at home or in other countries, and it can contain a variety of chemicals and alcohols that can be dangerous, if…
Read MoreSailing into 2020-2021: Colfax school district back-to-school plan for COVID-19
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The 2020-21 Colfax Back-to-School Plan covers a variety of details pertaining to the five day per week in-person instruction approved by the Colfax Board of Education August 5. According to the introduction to the plan, “The purpose of our Colfax Back-to-School plan is to keep our students, staff, and…
Read MoreColfax school board approves 5 days per week in-person instruction, masks required
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Colfax Board of Education has approved starting school this fall with five days per week in-person instruction at school with masks required for students and school staff to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The plan approved by the school board also includes online options for those parents…
Read MoreGlenwood City issues school re-entry plan
By LeAnn R. Ralph GLENWOOD CITY — Tim Johnson, Glenwood City school superintendent, says if there is one thing he wants people to know about school starting this fall during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that there are still just as many questions as answers. Be that as it may, “the school district will continue…
Read MoreKT Gallagher: COVID-19 is a public health emergency
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — With the rate of COVID-19 infections increasing steadily in Dunn County, the situation represents a crisis and a public health emergency, according to KT Gallagher, health officer for Dunn County. As of the day of the Dunn County Board meeting on July 29, Dunn County had 100 cases of…
Read MoreIf necessary, DC Health Department could issue an order for masks in schools
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — If the data indicates a large spike in COVID-19 cases in Dunn County, or if other interventions are not working, the Dunn County Health Department could issue an order requiring masks in schools. KT Gallagher, director of the Dunn County Health Department, spoke about mask orders as part of…
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