First Waukesha County Resident Dies From Coronavirus

WAUKESHA, WI — The Waukesha County Public Health Department confirmed the first resident death due to coronavirus, local health officials announced on Tuesday. The individual was an 85-year-old female from Pewaukee. The woman's death was announced on a day when 130 new confirmed cases were announced on Tuesday taking the statewide toll to 1,321 and 20 deaths.

As of Tuesday, Waukesha County has 105 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Updated numbers of positive cases per county and locations where community spread is being seen are updated on the Department of Health Services (DHS) Outbreaks website daily at 2 p.m, the health department announced in a release.

“I want to give my sincere condolences to the loved ones of the individual who passed away today,” Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow said in a news release issued Tuesday. “I want the family and residents to know that throughout this pandemic Waukesha County Public Health and Waukesha County government have done everything possible to mitigate the spread of this virus in the community, and we will continue to do so. Every individual can help with that goal by following the Safer at Home order, social distancing, and practicing good hygiene.”

According to the release, the Waukesha County Public Health Department is working diligently to manage the impact this pandemic is having in Waukesha County. Staff is working closely alongside local, state, and federal partners to quickly and effectively respond to cases, contacts, and emerging situations. The Waukesha Emergency Operations Center is activated at level 1, its highest level, in order to enhance this community response to COVID-19. DHS recommends several strategies for the public to limit the spread of coronavirus, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2:

• Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Stay home if you can and especially when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing by staying six feet away from people you don’t live with.
• Learn about precautions for high risk and elderly individuals.