It is impossible to miss news reports about the potential for the coronavirus. Available information changes quite often and we are staying abreast of current conditions and adjusting our preparedness steps when needed. As an agency we continue to emphasize precautionary actions we shared earlier, and we will follow guidance we receive from the La Crosse County Health Department.
Our area continues to be at low risk, and the following steps are the keys to precautionary steps you can take:
- Wash your hands with soap and water
- Cover your cough
- Stay home if you are sick
In addition, please consider the following:
- If your work takes you out into the community be cautious about entering another person’s residence. When possible, conduct your business in the open air.
- Do not enter locations or engage in work that you feel poses a risk. Discuss the situation with your supervisor as soon as possible.
- If you plan to attend a conference, assess the merit of the event. Many large events have been cancelled as a precaution, but if you need or want to attend a conference please discuss it with your supervisor before choosing to go.
- For those traveling out of the immediate area – or out of the country – you should not return to work without being tested if you have been exposed to large groups (over 150), had contact with an infected individual, or have symptoms yourself.
We continue to take agency preparedness – including client and employee safety – very seriously. For that reason, some of the steps already being taken at our locations include:
- Additional cleaning and sanitizing in public areas
- Signs on the outside doors alerting visitors of the need to take precautions
- Evaluating the nature and method of work performed to minimize risks
This geographic area is still considered to present minimal risk, and we hope steps we take now will help avoid the coulee region becoming a hot spot.
Thanks in advance for your attention to this.