Walworth County Public Health Moves to Phase 2 and Launches Business Recognition Program

(Public Health press release) ELKHORN, WI — The Walworth County Public Health Department has observed
sustained improvement in COVID-19 key indicators and is shifting from Phase 1 to Phase
2 in the County’s Phased Guidance.

The Public Health Department continues to analyze data to assess the state of the
community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The County’s Phased Guidance
document offers recommendations tailored to the level of COVID-19 activity and available
resources in the county, and is available on the county website here.

Walworth County has been in Phase 1 since November and this shift represents a small
but significant step toward a full recovery. “Improvement in key indicators means that the
methods being used across our community to slow the spread of COVID-19 are working.
We must continue to use all of our tools to maintain these improvements as we
systematically move towards our new normal,” said Erica Bergstrom, Public Health
Officer.

As part of the move to Phase 2, Public Health is serving as a resource for county
businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging participation in the
“Stay Well in Walworth” Business Recognition Program. This program recognizes and
highlights local businesses that are effectively applying Walworth County’s COVID-19
Phased Guidance to help keep their customers, employees, and communities healthy
and safe. These tools include, but are not limited to:
– Encouraging physical distancing and keeping customers 6 feet from each other
– Implementing easy to understand face covering policies that align with Walworth
County’s Phased Guidance
– Adhering to business capacity recommendations
– Adopting protocols to routinely clean and disinfect
– Creating designated hours for vulnerable populations and those at higher risk

Businesses wishing to participate in the program may complete the application located
on the county website. Others may also nominate businesses they wish to recognize for
their efforts through this application.

Walworth County Public Health thanks everyone for doing their part and recognizes all
efforts to help keep the community safe. For more information on Walworth County Public
Health’s COVID-19 Data and Phased Guidance, or how to nominate a business for the
Business Recognition Program, please visit our website at
https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19.