OCHD seeing rise in COVID-19 levels

For the Tomahawk Leader

ONEIDA COUNTY – The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) last week said it has seen a rise in levels of COVID-19.

Along with the uptick in local cases, OCHD said there has also been an increase statewide in surveillance systems, such as wastewater.

“Individuals who have COVID-19 can shed the virus in their feces, even if they do not have symptoms,” OCHD stated. “We continue to monitor this so we can better understand how prevalent COVID-19 is and act quickly if it is spreading in a community.”

OCHD said symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body ache, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, noting that symptoms may vary among variants.

“OCHD asks for your help to keep you, your family and your friends healthy,” OCHD stated, offering the following precautions than can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are feeling ill.
• Wear a mask.
• Avoid crowded areas.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Get vaccinated – updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected in the fall of 2023.

For more information about COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html; or www.publichealth.co.oneida.wi.us/.