Recent information from local health departments shows that the Covid Community Level in Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties has reached “high,” according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Vilas County also reported an additional death of a male in his 60s, bringing the county’s total to 87. Vilas County Public Health Department works with its medical examiner in regards to those deaths among Covid-confirmed cases

Health officials recommend that everyone should wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor spaces and always be sure they are up to date on vaccinations. If a person is feeling sick or has been exposed, they should get tested and stay home when feeling sick or if the test comes back positive.

The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) said that those who have tested positive for Covid or have mild symptoms and are waiting for test results should isolate and stay home for at least five days. In order to keep others in the home safe, they should wear a mask and stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if possible.

Those who cannot wear a mask should stay home and away from other people for 10 days. Infected individuals should not travel for 10 days.’According to OCHD, to calculate the recommended time frames, Day 0 is the day a person is tested if they don’t have symptoms, or the date symptoms started.

Health officials said to watch for symptoms, especially fever, and contact a health care provider to discuss test results and treatment plans. Anyone who has an emergency warning sign such as trouble breathing or persistent chest pain or pressure should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Following the five days of quarantine, a self-check should be completed on Day 6 to monitor symptoms and see if they are improving.

Once fevers are completely gone without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours, a person can leave isolation but should continue wearing a mask around other people at home and in public for five additional days.

If symptoms are not improving or there is still a fever, people should continue to stay home until 24 hours after their fever stops without use of medication and symptoms have improved, and then wear a mask at home and in public for five days.

Those who are moderately or severely ill — including being hospitalized or requiring intensive care or ventilation support — or immunocompromised should talk to their health care provider about when to end isolation.

Statewide, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced earlier this week that 10 million doses of the Covid vaccine have been administered, and more than 60% of Wisconsinites have completed their vaccine series.

In Vilas County, 66.4% of residents have completed their primary doses, and 37.5% have completed their booster dose. Numbers in Oneida were similar, with 63% completing the primary doses and 37.5% receiving boosters.

For information on quarantine guidelines, vaccine or booster information, contact the local health department or health-care provider.