Thorp Courier

13/07/2020

13/04/2020

Are you or your student working on any art while in lockdown? We'd love to feature it in our art of the week column! Send a photo of your creation to [email protected], along with the name of the artist and information on materials used, etc. If the art was done by a student, please include their school and grade.

Remember, art isn't just drawing or painting. Have you finished an amazing quilt? Sculpted from clay or metal? A carving, a piece of furniture? Send us a photo!

Have you or your student learned a new skill? We'd love to feature that, as well. Let's share some positivity!

[Please do not send via Facebook Messenger. Use our office email. Thanks!]

06/04/2020

For the health and safety of our customers and employees, we have enacted new policies regarding our front office. We will be allowing only one customer at a time into the building; customers should knock on the front door to be allowed access; if your transaction can be done through the mail slot, please do so; no customers will be allowed behind the front desk.

We care deeply about our community and stand with you in these unprecedented times. Please follow social distancing guidelines. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

03/04/2020

SIXTH POSITIVE CORONAVIRUS CASE CONFIRMED IN CLARK COUNTY

The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) is confirming that there is now a sixth positive case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Clark County. This individual has been linked as having had close contact with four of Clark County’s five other positive cases. The CCHD has conducted an investigation of the newly identified case and has followed-up with others with whom this individual had close contact.

“Over the past few weeks, we have had one instance of COVID-19 that was community spread—meaning that we couldn’t pinpoint who or where the individual got sick from. Our five other cases, however, had all been in close contact with one another at one point. This is why social distancing and following Governor Evers’ Safer At Home Order is so incredibly important. The order was put into place to help protect the public and limit the spread of the disease,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.

It is more important than ever that individuals do not go into public places for anything but the essentials—such as groceries, medicine, gas, and other items needed to maintain a safe home. Shopping trips should be limited to once per week or less and should be done by only one person in the household; entire families should not be out shopping together (if practical). Individuals should also limit their time inside stores, practice social distancing (by maintaining 6 feet or more from other people), and hand wash/sanitize after shopping. Essential travel includes leaving the home only to: purchase essential supplies; seek health care; purchase medical supplies or prescriptions; travel to an essential workplace; or travel to care for a child, dependent, or elderly person.

“COVID-19 is incredibly contagious. To put things into perspective, I would like to remind the public that Wuhan, China [where Coronavirus originated] is over 7,000 miles away from Clark County. The very first confirmed case of COVID-19 was in mid-November, 2019 in Wuhan. In less than 130 days, COVID-19 made its way across entire oceans and continents, and into our backyards. We would be incredibly naïve to think that the virus is going to stop traveling now. We need to do something about it. This is where staying home and social distancing comes in. At this point, it truly does not matter where our positive cases are located in Clark County. If the virus can travel 7,000 miles from China, it can easily travel 60 more miles across the county. People should be practicing social distancing regardless,” added Rebecca Greisen, Health Educator.

Going forward, the CCHD will no longer be doing a press release when each new case is identified. Case counts in Clark County will be updated on the Health Department’s page: https://www.facebook.com/clarkcohealthdept/ and on the Clark County website https://www.clarkcountywi.com/.

For additional updates and resources, residents are encouraged to monitor the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and CDC websites for the latest information and guidance.

**graphic was edited at 1:39PM to include the word “isolation” instead of “quarantine”

31/03/2020

FOURTH POSITIVE CORONAVIRUS CASE CONFIRMED IN CLARK COUNTY

The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) is confirming that there is now a fourth positive case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Clark County. All four cases had been in close contact with each other at one point. Currently, all four individuals are at home and in isolation. The CCHD has conducted an investigation of the newly identified case and is following-up with others with whom this individual had close contact.

In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and by the guidance of the Clark County Attorney, the Clark County Health Department will not be releasing the locations, ages, or genders of any confirmed or pending COVID-19 cases.

“It is our utmost duty to protect the identity of those we are serving. Yes, some counties have disclosed the locations of their positive cases. However, in pretty much every instance, those towns or cities are much larger than the towns we have here in Clark County. For example, if one of our cases were to be in Willard, Longwood, or Humbird, that automatically narrows it down to less than 900 people—and several of these communities are very tight knit; people know each other. That isn’t fair to the patient or person who has tested positive. Regardless of where the positive cases are located in the county, all residents should already be abiding by Governor Evers’ Safer at Home Order and taking extra precautions,” said Rebecca Greisen, Health Educator.

Currently, there are 4 positive and 7 pending COVID-19 cases in Clark County. The number of people infected with COVID-19 continues to grow across Wisconsin and nationwide. The United States now has more Coronavirus cases than any other country in the world. Physical or social distancing—the practice of keeping at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding direct physical contact—is proving to be the only effective means of slowing the rate of infection. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Staying home when it is not essential to leave, is absolutely necessary during this time.

“The true number of infected individuals is likely not accurately reflected in the number of positive cases. We can only report numbers on those who go in to get tested and get a lab-confirmed positive test result. Individuals can be infected with COVID-19 even if they are not showing symptoms. As testing criteria becomes stricter, less positive cases will be reported, as fewer people will be tested,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.

The CCHD continues to work with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, local healthcare providers, Clark County Emergency Management, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

27/03/2020

SECOND AND THIRD CORONAVIRUS CASES CONFIRMED IN CLARK COUNTY

The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) is confirming that there are now three positive cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Clark County. The two newly positive cases had been in close contact with the individual who tested positive earlier this week. All three individuals are currently in isolation—two at home and one in the hospital. The CCHD has conducted investigations with these residents and is following-up with others with whom these individuals have had close contact.

“The Clark County Health Department closely monitors all pending and positive cases in the county. Individuals awaiting their test results are ordered to stay at home. When the lab confirms a positive COVID-19 case, the Health Department is immediately notified. It is then the Health Department’s duty to follow-up with the positive case to conduct a contact tracing investigation. During this investigation, the individual is asked to report on who they had close contact with (including others who were ill) and if they have recently traveled.” said Brittany Mews, Clark County Health Department Director/Health Officer.

Please respect the privacy of persons being tested for COVID-19. In the United States, HIPAA refers to a law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records and other health information provided to health plans, healthcare providers, and health departments. Details about COVID-19 cases are confidential.

Currently, there are 3 positive, 28 negative, and 22 pending COVID-19 cases in Clark County. The number of people infected with COVID-19 continues to grow across Wisconsin and nationwide. The United States now has more Coronavirus cases than any other country in the world. Physical or social distancing—the practice of keeping at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding direct physical contact—is proving to be the only effective means of slowing the rate of infection. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Staying home when it is not essential to leave, is absolutely necessary during this time.

During Governor Evers’ Safer at Home Order, it is important to remember that both employees and employers have rights. The U.S. Department of Labor provides information on common issues employers and employees are facing due to COVID-19. More information can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act will help businesses with less than 500 employees by providing funds so employees can take paid leave—either to care for their own health or the health of a family member. The Act will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus—while at the same time, reimbursing businesses.

The CCHD continues to work with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, local healthcare providers, Clark County Emergency Management, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

23/03/2020

We want our loyal customers and subscribers to know that we are open and ready to serve you. Our front office remains open at this time, but if you are not comfortable coming in, please give us a call or send us an email. If you want to drop off a payment, we have a mail slot in our front door. We do not anticipate a closure or interruption of Courier or Shopper delivery; however, we are aware things are changing on a daily basis. We will keep you informed of any changes to our hours, publishing schedule, etc. Take care and stay healthy!

18/03/2020