Author: Sam Buisman

Dane County officials enter a new chapter in the fight against COVID-19 as the county begins to re-open. 

With Public Health Madison & Dane County's decision to move into “Phase 1” of its coronavirus re-opening plan, local politicians, public health experts and national guard-persons are reaffirming their roles in this pandemic amidst shifting conditions. 

Many high-level Dane County politicians, including Public Health Madison & Dane County Director Janel Heinrich and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, have stressed the importance of both residents and businesses remaining cautious as the county eases restrictions. 

“While we know that many businesses, and their customers, are eager for reopening and getting back to providing services,” said Heinrich through a press release, “we want to stress that if a business doesn't feel ready for an open date of May 26th, they should wait until they are comfortable and have all their systems in place to open.” 

Accordingly, UW Health published a list of safety tips for lowering the risk of spreading COVID-19 under the new permissions of “Phase 1,” including socializing outside rather than indoors, disinfecting surfaces and continuing to practice social distancing. 

The Wisconsin National Guard also re-established its commitment to running mobile testing sites in Dane County. According to a press release, the two guard teams at the Alliant Energy Center testing site have conducted almost 6,700 tests as of today, and another team has been deployed to a Verona nursing home for a day of testing.

According to Public Health Madison & Dane County, there have been 630 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dane County, a rise of 14 from Monday.