By Shereen Siewert

Marathon County health officials are now confirming a third case of COVID-19 in Marathon County and say the third person has not had contact with either of the first two cases reported.

In a news release, the Marathon County Health Department said the person is currently  isolated at home.

Officials are still trying to determine how the person may have become infected and who the person has had contact with since becoming infected. Health Department staff will be reaching out on Tuesday and Wednesday to gather more information and give advice to people who have been in contact with the person.

Anyone who has had close contact with the person who tested positive and is symptomatic will be isolated.

People who have been in contact with the person and don’t have symptoms will be self-quarantined at home and asked to monitor themselves for symptoms. If symptoms appear, those people should contact their health care provider.

Symptoms of COVID-19 to watch for include: cough, fever, or shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms. Please call the clinic or hospital before going; this helps protect others.

“We can’t contain the spread without the help of everyone. We need the community to help us help control the spread of COVID19.”” said Judy Burrows, Public Information Officer for the Marathon County Health Department.

Burrows said 189 people in Marathon County have had negative test results as of 11 a.m. on March 30.

The COVID 19 pandemic is an evolving situation members of the public are encouraged to monitor the WI Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for the latest information and guidance. Information from Marathon County Health Department is at https://www.co.marathon.wi.us/covid19.