Here & Now

Dept. of Health Services Update on COVID-19

Frederica Freyberg:

More people are being tested for coronavirus in Wisconsin. But at weeks’ end there are no new positive cases. The State Department of Health Services reports a total of 44 people have been tested and a dozen results are still pending. One person who tested positive earlier has recovered. Health officials also report there is no indication of community transmission in Wisconsin. Today the president signed on to $8 billion in emergency funding for states to help manage coronavirus response. Tom Haupt is the influenza surveillance coordinator for Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services. And thanks so much for being here.

Tom Haupt:

Thank you for the invitation. I appreciate being here.

Frederica Freyberg:

The numbers of people being tested has jumped in recent days. Does Wisconsin have adequate test kits to do the surveillance we need?

Tom Haupt:

At this time we do have enough test kits available. But we do have to approve the testing. We want to be sure we’re using the test kits appropriately and being smart with our decisions. We do not want to run out of kits during a very critical time.

Frederica Freyberg:

You have the capacity as well of the scientists who need to do the testing?

Tom Haupt:

Yes, at this time we have the capacity and we also have surge capacity should it get worse.

Frederica Freyberg:

What are the circumstances of the latest people who are being tested?

Tom Haupt:

The majority of them are travelers and vacationers coming back from some of the countries that have either a travel — a level three or level two travel alert. That would include China. It would include Italy, South Korea. We’re also getting students coming back as well. So we’ve had people who are put under investigations who are both vacationers and also students returning to Wisconsin.

Frederica Freyberg:

Ok, and those were students that were on study abroad type programs?

Tom Haupt:

Yes.

Frederica Freyberg:

There seems to be super heightened concern among the public. What should we know about the risk and what to expect?

Tom Haupt:

Again, this is an evolving situation and it is relatively early in the investigation. We are counting on our colleagues from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide us with more information. We want to learn more about the exact incubation period. How long people are infectious. At this point we’re saying the risk is still low but we’re prepared in case it does become more widespread. We feel we have the plans and capabilities to make a response to protect the citizens of Wisconsin.

Frederica Freyberg:

What is the guidance for nursing homes in Wisconsin?

Tom Haupt:

The guidance for nursing homes actually just came out. We’re analyzing that as we speak. The questions that have come up from nursing homes is do they need to screen visitors coming in and ask them if they had done any travel. At this point that is not recommended. But we really want them to be aware that people should not be coming in if they do have any kind of respiratory symptoms because we’re in the middle of a flu season and we’re still a very high influenza activity.

Frederica Freyberg:

Do you expect the number of tests being conducted will jump as the days progress here?

Tom Haupt:

I believe the number of tests will definitely jump especially since we have commercial labs coming online as well. And again, we have a little more leniency for testing since the guidance was changed this past week.

Frederica Freyberg:

How important is the money newly coming in to states?

Tom Haupt:

Yes, I believe the money is very important and as you said, is really not decided how to use that but it can help with personnel costs. For purchasing maybe some personal protective equipment. There is a lot of rumors out there there are shortages of masks, gowns, hand sanitizers. The people in our administrative office are working very hard to try to come up with a plan how to best use that money.

Frederica Freyberg:

Tom Haupt. Thanks very much and good luck.

Tom Haupt:

Thank you very much. Appreciate the opportunity for talking to your viewers.