FAQs • St. Croix County, WI • CivicEngage

What is contact tracing?

St. Croix County Public Health uses contract tracing to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Contact tracing is one of the best tools we have to fight COVID-19.

When a person tests positive for COVID-19, we interview them to determine who they may have been in close contact with while they were contagious. Close contacts are instructed to stay home to monitor symptoms to prevent further spread of the virus.

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COVID-19

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1. How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 can be spread by people who are and are not showing symptoms.

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is spread predominately by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. Find more information on how COVID-19 spreads on the CDC’s website.

Wearing a face covering, maintaining a 6-foot distance from others, avoiding large crowds, and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 are a couple ways you can help prevent the spread of this disease. Find more recommendations on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

2. How contagious is COVID-19?

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people. Information suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza. In general, the more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Find more information on how COVID-19 spreads on the CDC’s website.

3. Can you have COVID-19 and not show symptoms?

Yes, people are testing positive who have mild or no symptoms. This is referred to asymptomatic.

A person that is not showing symptoms but has COVID-19 can still spread the disease without knowing it. This is why wearing face coverings and socially distancing are important tools in keeping us healthy and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Find more recommendations on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

4. Why should you be concerned about COVID-19?

We should all be concerned about the spread of this disease, especially among our elderly and those with compromised immune systems. People can have COVID-19, be contagious, and not show any symptoms. Although you may not feel the effects of this disease, you could still spread it to someone else.

Following the simple recommended safety measures such as wearing face coverings and socially distancing helps protect all of our communities. We are stronger when we work together.

Find more recommendations on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

5. Why are we following safety measures like social distancing and wearing masks for COVID-19 and not the flu?

While we learn more every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19. At this time we do not know the long-term impacts of this disease.

We do know more about the seasonal flu than COVID-19. We have vaccines and treatments for the seasonal flu and many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains.

For more information on the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and the flu, visit the CDC’s website.

6. Why do people in good health need to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus.

Some people can have COVID-19, be contagious, and not show any symptoms. Although you may not feel the effects of this disease, you could still spread it to someone who is at higher risk of becoming severely ill, which means they may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may not survive.

People at higher risk generally include older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.

Following the simple recommended safety measures such as wearing face coverings and socially distancing helps protect all of our communities, especially our most vulnerable.

Find more recommendations on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

7. What do I do if I need to get health care that is not related to COVID-19?: If you have a medical emergency, call 911 right away. Getting care fast could save your life. If you are not having a medical emergency, we recommend contacting your health care provider.

8. What can I do at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

We recommend wearing masks when you leave your home, maintaining a 6-foot distance from people who do not live in your household, washing your hands frequently, and sanitizing shared surfaces regularly, and getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

Getting regular exercise, eating healthy, getting plenty of rest, and planning fun and safe activities will also make a difference for your overall physical and mental health.

9. What is contact tracing?

St. Croix County Public Health uses contract tracing to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Contact tracing is one of the best tools we have to fight COVID-19.

10. What resources are available for business in St. Croix County affected by COVID-19?

Recommendations can be found on our COVID-19 Guidance page. Here are some additional resources for businesses:

11. What can my workplace do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

We recommend that workplaces:

Follow St. Croix County Health's COVID-19 Guidance.
Follow six feet social distancing recommendations among employees and the public wherever possible.
Encourage frequent handwashing.
Frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces.
Send employees home if they are sick.
Cooperate with Public Health’s disease investigation and contact tracing.

Finally, communicate with your employees about the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19. If employees make high risk choices in their personal lives, that will increase the chance they could catch and spread the disease in the workplace.

12. Am I required to wear a face covering?: Read St. Croix County's COVID-19 Guidance for recommendations.

13. How do face coverings slow the spread of COVID-19?

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. Many cases are asymptomatic, meaning that do not show any symptoms but can still spread the virus to others.

Wearing a face covering will help limit the number of droplets that are released and limit how far they travel. This will help protect the people around you if you are infected or do not know you are infected. Face coverings along with other measures like washing your hands frequently and social distancing work together to prevent the spread of this disease.

Find more recommendations on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

14. Where can I get a face covering?

Face coverings can be purchased at many local stores or online. We recommend wearing well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask when in public. When buying a face covering, make sure it: