Public Health Madison & Dane County is urging residents to continue to follow the Safer at Home order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.

“We know it’s hard, but our actions are saving lives. We must all follow Safer at Home. The data in Dane County is promising but it will only stay that way with continued vigilance,” said County Executive Parisi.

Public Health continues to receive hundreds of reports each week of individuals gathering and business owners taking actions that are not in compliance with Safer at Home.

“We continue to see team sports in parks, parties in people’s homes, and other unwise—and prohibited—gatherings. This is not okay,” said City of Madison Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “We cannot let up our efforts on physical distancing. Instead, we need to get creative. College students can meet for coffee over Facetime. Neighbors can have happy hour on Zoom. Families can plan Easter egg hunts in their homes and include grandparents via Skype. This is our new normal for a while.”

The slow increase in confirmed cases in Dane County, as well as the reduced follow-up needed by Public Health staff to identify close contacts of individuals who have COVID-19 diagnoses, indicates that physical distancing measures have produced promising outcomes so far. Greater compliance could produce even better results.

“We are encouraged by the data we’re seeing, but this is far from over. It might not seem like following the orders all the time is necessary, but every action we take directly impacts, and can harm, our community by increasing the chance for COVID-19 to spread,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Public Health Madison & Dane County will continue to work with partners to analyze data trends, and actively monitor confirmed cases. We ask that the community do their part by abiding by the Safer at Home orders.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. Find more information and resources on coronavirus on our website, publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus. Follow us on social media (@publichealthmdc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for updates.