City of Racine
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
INFORMATION & UPDATES
Important Update:
The City of Racine Public Health Department is currently experiencing very high levels of COVID-19 and significant spread in our community. We have seen a rapid increase in the number of daily new cases in past weeks, and the number of cases continues to accelerate upwards.
Due to the increase in cases, case investigation and contact tracing efforts to effectively identify and control the spread of the virus have become increasingly strained. Public health has not consistently been able to interview positive cases and their close contacts in a timely manner. This severely limits efforts to contain the virus.
If you Test POSITIVE:
Stay home and isolate for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset. If you did not have symptoms, remain isolated for 10 days from the date of testing. For detailed instructions, visit:
You can return to work or school on day 11 if you meet the isolation-release criteria:
- Fever-free for at least 24 hours, without medication use, AND
- Improvement in other symptoms.
You can return to work or school on day 11 if you meet the isolation-release criteria:
Use tellyourcontacts.org to let others know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and what they can do about it.
- Notifying Close Contacts(English)
- Notificar a Sus Propios Contactos (Español)
If you are a CLOSE CONTACT or were EXPOSED:
Close Contact is defined as ANY of the following exposures to a positive or probable case:
- Being closer than 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or longer in a given day
- Having physical contact with someone (kiss, hug, handshake, etc.)
- Having direct exposure to coughs, sneezes, or other bodily fluids
- Living or spending the night in the same home
Those who have Close Contact with someone who has COVID-19 must quarantine:
- New CDC Quarantine Guidelines for COVID-19
- New quarantine guidelines provide options for the 14-day quarantine for close contacts to be shortened to 7 or 10 days. As long as individuals have not had any symptoms, they can end quarantine after 7 days if they receive a negative result from approved test administered on at least day 5, or after 10 days without a test. However, the CDC “gold standard” for quarantine remains 14 days, as the incubation period for COVID-19 is 2-14 days.
See the above linked document for more information on how these new guidelines are to be applied, including additional requirements for symptom monitoring. All individuals choosing to use a shortened quarantine period must continue to monitor for symptoms until day 14 and should notify their local public health department or primary care physician if any symptoms develop during that time.
For the 7-day option, individuals will need to coordinate with their employer or school for early release – this cannot be facilitated through your local public health department. It will be the decision of each employer and school to determine which option they will use for quarantine: (1) 14-day quarantine/no testing/no symptoms, (2) 10-day quarantine/no testing/no symptoms/monitor for symptoms days 11-14, or (3) 7-day quarantine/negative approved-test/no symptoms/monitor for symptoms days 8-14. - CDC Guidance on New Quarantine Options
Quarantine begins after your last exposure to the ill individual. For those living with a COVID-19 positive person, quarantine starts after that person’s isolation period ends (see above).
If you are a Close Contact and need a Quarantine Letter for employment or school, click here.
NOTE FOR EMPLOYERS:
Per CDC guidance, sick employees should follow steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees should not return to work until they meet the criteria to discontinue home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider if necessary. Employers should not require a sick employee to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or healthcare provider’s note to return to work. Employees with COVID-19 who have stayed home can stop home isolation and return to work when they have met the criteria above.
Questions?
Email us at [email protected].
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How it Spreads
COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.
Symptoms & Testing
Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
How to Prepare
Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community.
Businesses and Employers
Resources for Businesses and Employers. Plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus disease.
What to do if you are sick
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick
Your Questions Answered
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19
COVID-19: What Older Adults Need to Know
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
- Stay home if possible.
- Wash your hands often.
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others (stay 6 feet away, which is about two arm lengths).
- See also: What You Can Do
Message from the Mayor – City of Racine
As the economic impacts of COVID-19 are felt in the community, the City is doing what we can to help provide some relief. I am happy to announce the creation of a Small Businesses Emergency Fund and that we are lifting parking restrictions at meters, and delaying tax payments until April 30th. Please watch the video for more details.
Covid-19 Update
Support for Small Businesses & Taxpayers
Thank you to our essential workers!
Racine Mayor Featured Guest on Radio Programs.
Racine’s mayor, Cory Mason, phones in to talk about what economic development looked like before the pandemic hit as well as what Racine is doing to keep citizens informed about the Coronavirus.
"Development Matters" Racine Mayor Mason Featured Guest on Radio Program Hour One
"Development Matters" Racine Mayor Mason Featured Guest on Radio Program Hour Two
Racine Mayor Featured on WTMJ AM
Racine Coronavirus News COVID-19
There is an ongoing investigation to determine more about this outbreak. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Local plumbers see a 40% increase in pipe clogs due to wipes being flushed. LEARN MORE
Wipes can cause havoc with pumps, and when pumps get bound up with wipes they stop working, and when pumps stop working wastewater backs up into people’s basements,
Keith Haas, General Manager at Racine Water and Wastewater Utility.
The City of Racine Updates on Social Media