The numbers held steady for three weeks before two positive cases were reported on Thursday, June 25, according to public health officer Kathy Ronchi. More confirmed cases were reported over the weekend, and by Tuesday, June 30, the county total increased to 30, Ronchi said.
The positive case series is a reminder that precautionary steps like social distancing, handwashing and disinfection remain crucial, he said.
“We have talked for weeks about the virus still being active in our community,” said Ronchi. “But I think we all disappointed our guards a little when we went three weeks without a new case.”
The most recent cases include people between the ages of 20 and 50. Many of them visited numerous Superior bars and restaurants before testing positive, some while exhibiting mild symptoms. Due to the number of crowded, closed public spaces that newer patients came to, Ronchi said he would not be surprised if the number of confirmed cases increased.
“So mild symptoms are important,” he said. “It is an expectation that clients do their part and stay home when they are sick.”
Several companies have taken proactive measures.
Tavern 105 in the South End neighborhood of Superior announced Monday, June 29 that it would voluntarily close until July 7 to disinfect and disinfect the entire establishment because at least one person who had been inside the tavern last week had been in direct contact with a recently confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Tipsy Beaver Bar at 3823 E. Second St. posted Tuesday, June 30 that the bar would be closed for an undetermined period of time to properly clean and disinfect the building because a person who tested positive for COVID-19 visited the establishment in the past two weeks.
“We were notified last night and we decided to close the bar immediately so it will air on the security side,” said owners Alexandra LaFleur and Millisa Tollers. “We are new to the area, but we have worked hard to make sure that our customers and employees know that their safety is our top priority.”
Later Tuesday, the Log Cabin Tavern on South County Road E posted that it was closing due to exposure to COVID-19 over the weekend. The establishment said it plans to reopen July 7 after testing returns and the cleanup is complete, though it may open to take out pizza earlier.
“If you were in our bar on Saturday night, consider getting tested,” said the Log Cabin publication.
Charlie Brown’s bar in Billings Park announced on Facebook on Tuesday that the establishment would voluntarily close for a week “until we know exactly what’s going on for their safety and ours for any inconvenience.”
Some other establishments have followed suit. Ronchi said that none of the closings was mandatory, and that preventing the spread of COVID-19 is possible without closures if people act responsibly.
“Out of respect for business owners who are doing the right thing, that is not necessary, but people must behave in a way that supports the business and that means maintaining social distance and disinfection and that sort of thing,” said Ronchi. .
Close indoor contact should be considered risky behavior. Staying 6 feet away and disinfection are key. Masks are also a good idea.
“That is why the rules are important,” said Ronchi. “We are identifying one or two people who have visited these different places. I think it could have been a much bigger outbreak without all the disinfection and disinfection and the things that are being done. ”
The Douglas County Health Department is reaching out to people who may have been exposed, including people who were within 6 feet of a person with a positive case for more than 15 minutes. They will be asked to quarantine for 14 days at home. If they develop symptoms, people should be quarantined as best they can from the rest of the home.
Even a negative test result can be misleading, Ronchi said, because a person can develop the disease at any time within 14 days.
Ronchi said younger people who tested positive for the disease reported mild symptoms, including headaches, allergy-like sinus pain, and fatigue that does not improve.
Of the new batch of confirmed cases, Ronchi said one has been hospitalized. To date, three Douglas County residents have been hospitalized with the disease. One was in the hospital for weeks.
Tests are available through Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, and Lake Superior Community Health Center for people with symptoms.
This story was updated at 5:23 pm with comments from Kathy Ronchi, Douglas County Health Officer. It was originally published at 1:02 pm
