New Madison Resident Tests Positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

posted March 13, 2020 – 3:50pm

Public Health Madison & Dane County received notification that another person in Dane County has been diagnosed with novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This individual has a history of recent international travel to a country with widespread transmission of coronavirus. This person is a University of Wisconsin-Madison employee and is currently isolated at home. Due to privacy concerns, we are not releasing more information about this individual. This person will remain at home until authorized by Public Health to return to normal activities.

“We’re working closely with UW-Madison to ensure the campus community is aware of the situation, and we are following-up with people who have been in close contact with this individual,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County.

To minimize the spread of illness, close contacts will be monitored by Public Health or University Health Services staff, will do daily symptom and temperature checks, and will isolate themselves.

“As this person acquired the virus while traveling, this is not community spread. We do anticipate community spread in the future, which is why we strongly encourage people to prepare and follow our recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Heinrich.

Current Public Health Recommendations

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, or the Public Health Madison & Dane County coronavirus page.