Spooner Health Updates

  • Spooner Health is now testing anyone with any symptom of COVID-19 through Essentia Health's curbside testing. Please start your free screening by: 
    Visiting www.EssentiaHealth.org/COVID-19
    or calling
    1-833-494-0836.
    You do not need to be a patient of Essentia Health.
  • Visitor Policy: 
    • One visitor per patient is allowed per day within visiting hours in the Emergency Department or on the Inpatient floor. 
    • Visiting hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
    • All visitors must wear masks, even when in the room with the patient. Please practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently. 
    • If you leave the facility, you will not be allowed back in for the day. Please plan accordingly. 
    • Please remain in the designated room of your loved one. If you need anything from anywhere in the facility, please let a member of the care team know. 
  • Some outpatient appointments and procedures are resuming with precautions. These services include rehabilitation services, diagnostic imaging, and some specialty clinic procedures. 
  • All patients must enter through the emergency department entrance. You will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 upon entry. 
  • If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. 

COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Wisconsin Department of Health Services 
Washburn County Public Health 
Essentia Health 

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Guidance for Cloth Masks

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Mental Health Resources

Washburn County Mental Health and AODA 
Washburn County Crisis Line: 1-888-860-0373

Other Local Resources

Lakeland Family Resource Center 
Community First - Washburn County
Regional Hospice Online Grief Support Group

 

COVID-19 Updates

Spooner, WI (May 14, 2020) - In light of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court decision invalidating the Safer at Home order, the Washburn County Health Department understands that residents and businesses likely have questions and concerns about how we move forward. Washburn County is currently exploring its options to ensure the continued health and safety of residents and visitors.

We urge residents to continue practicing social distancing and hygiene measures, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, which we have all become familiar with over the last several weeks:

 Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
 Clean commonly touched surfaces often
 Maintain a 6 foot distance between yourself and others when in public, if you must go out
 Wear a cloth face covering or mask when in public to help prevent the spread of COVID19 through respiratory droplets from asymptomatic individuals
 Avoid crowds as much as possible
 Limit gatherings with those outside of your household unit as much as possible

Businesses are strongly encouraged to follow guidance developed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for reopening safely. Implementing strong safety measures will help protect employees and customers and help businesses stay operational as COVID-19 continues to spread. This guidance is available at https://wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/

We hope that Washburn County residents and businesses will continue to follow guidance to protect our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers so that we can safely move forward together.

Additional recovery and assistance resources for businesses, families, and individuals in Washburn County can be found at https://www.co.washburn.wi.us/news/emergencymanagement/COVID-19

More information about COVID-19 is available at https://www.co.washburn.wi.us/news/publichealth/Coronavirus-Outbreak and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WashburnCoHealthDept/

Confirmed Cases:

At this time, there are four laboratory confirmed cases in Washburn County. 

Case Reporting:

At this time, we are not reporting numbers of people tested in order to protect patient privacy while living in a small community.

We are reporting two laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19, following guidance from WI DHS and CDC. We understand that there are concerns about testing protocol missing cases, but we cannot speculate on potential exposed persons that are not reported to clinics or public health. 

Travel:

  • WI DHS recommends Wisconsin residents cancel or postpone all nonessential travel, including travel within the state, in compliance with the Safer at Home order. All individuals who spend time outside of their home and/or local community have some risk of exposure to COVID-19. If international or domestic travel cannot be avoided, be prepared to remain away for an extended period of time if travel restrictions change or if you become sick. 
  • Older adults and people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should avoid all travel within and outside of your community in order to minimize contact with others.
  • Travel to locations with a Level 3 Travel Notice and travel on cruise ships are not considered safe at this time due to widespread transmission of COVID-19 in these areas. People who travel to these areas despite this recommendation should be prepared to encounter significant delays in returning home. 
  • Check CDC's recommendations regarding travel within the US and current CDC travel health notices.

Testing:

Starting Friday, April 24, 2020, all residents of Washburn County with symptoms of COVID-19  (see list of possible symptoms here) will be able to get tested with an order from a medical provider. 

  • You will not be tested if you are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
  • You must be screened for testing prior to visiting the clinic you are seeking testing at 
  • You will not be tested without orders from a provider (given after screening)
  • If you have established care with a provider in Washburn County, see clinic guidance below
  • If you do not have a provider, please refer to the Essentia Health screening information below
    • Northlakes Community Clinic
      • If you are a patient who normally seeks care at Northlakes Community Clinic - Minong experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the clinic at 715-466-2201 for screening and to speak to a medical provider
    • Indianhead Medical Center/Shell Lake Clinic
      • If you are a patient who normally seeks care at IMC/Shell Lake Clinic experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the clinic at 715-468-2711 for screening and to speak to a medical provider
    • Spooner Health & Essentia Health - Spooner Clinic
      • If you are a patient who normally seeks care at Essentia Health - Spooner Clinic or Spooner Health OR do not have an established care provider and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the Essentia Health COVID-19 Screening Hotline to be screened for testing at Spooner Health. 
      • You MUST be screened and have orders for testing from a provider.
      • For screening, call 833-494-0836 or start an online screening visit. 
    • DO NOT show up to a clinic or ER without calling the facility prior to your arrival.
    • If you have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results, you must isolate at home until you receive your results. Follow DHS guidance on self-isolation and self-monitoring while waiting for test results.
    • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have been denied testing (starting on April 24, 2020) call the Health Department at 715-635-4400

Social Distancing:

Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chance of contracting COVID-19.

Examples include: cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings, not shaking hands, avoiding large group gatherings or activities and staying home as much as possible.

Social distancing can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:

  • Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home)
  • Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay home when sick

School Closings

DHS ordered all public and private schools and institutions of higher education to close effective 5:00 pm on March 18, 2020 and to remain closed for the duration of the public health emergency or until a subsequent order lifts this specific restriction.

Individuals should continue practicing social distancing. Resources from DPI on practicing social distancing are available on the county’s coronavirus outbreak page. Families should continue following guidance from their schools on protocol during the closure. Many schools and local businesses have made free meals available for school-age children during the shutdown.

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