NewsLocal News

Actions

COVID-19 case spike identified in Omro

COVID-19
Posted at 2:35 PM, Feb 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-16 15:35:18-05

OMRO (NBC 26) — Omro is experiencing a spike in the number of positive and probable COVID-19 cases, officials announced Tuesday.

One driver of new cases appears to be high school students gathering outside the school day, health and city officials said, with some cases being sports or extracurricular related and others community related.

"While the majority have done their part to help stop the spread, it appears a lack of testing exposed and/or symptomatic persons started a rapid chain of transmission at many group gatherings," reads a statement from Winnebago County Health Department.

At this time, Omro High School has reported at least 12 new student cases, 20 total cases and over 170 close contacts, the health department said Tuesday. Omro High School will have no in-person classes for at least this week.

The school district has been working with the Winnebago County Health Department on contact tracing. Additional cases are anticipated.

The health department also said the City of Omro has the highest case rate of COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic of any municipality in the Winnebago County jurisdictional area. Case rates in the City of Omro are about 30% higher than the average rate.

"The Omro community needs to pull together now to slow transmission by following public health guidelines that include testing, masking, following quarantine guidelines and avoiding gatherings with people outside of your household," stated Linda Kutchenriter, Administrator-Treasurer for the City of Omro.

The Winnebago County Health Department recommends getting a COVID-19 test if exposed or in close contact to someone who has tested positive. Testing is recommended no less than 4 days after the day of exposure. See the WCHD website for a listing of free testing locations.

The public is also encouraged to call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 for more information.