Players, coaches quarantine after someone affiliated with Kenosha Nationals Baseball Club tests positive for COVID-19
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Someone affiliated with the Kenosha Nationals Baseball Club has tested positive for COVID-19, the club and the Kenosha County Division of Health announced Monday, Oct. 5.
Health officials say the individual participated in team events while infectious between Sept. 25 and Oct. 3.
The Kenosha Nationals confirmed to CBS 58 that one of its four teams is quarantining but could not say who tested positive.
"We are following the guidelines given to us by the health department," the head of the club told CBS 58 on the phone. He said they're taking it seriously and cooperating fully.
The Kenosha County Division of Health and the Kenosha Nationals has notified those who may have come in contact with the infected individual. Those individuals will be required to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure.
"This unfortunate series of events with the baseball club underscores the importance of isolation for those who have reason to believe they might have COVID-19," Kenosha County Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit said. "Following public health guidelines can prevent the exposure of people to the virus and prevent the spread of COVID-19."
Freiheit confirmed to CBS 58 that 12 players and two coaches are now quarantining.
Health officials said following public health guidelines is more important now than ever and the situation speaks to a larger issue: Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or awaiting test results need to stay home.
They also encouraged people to get tested. The Wisconsin National Guard operated a free-drive-thru testing site at the Kenosha County Job Center on Oct. 5 and 6 on a first-come, first-served basis.
CBS 58 spoke with several Kenosha residents at the testing site who said they planned on quarantining until they received their test results.
"Some people near me were actually experiencing some symptoms of COVID-19. This is about my 7th time getting tested. I've been negative all other times. We live in an area with a really (high) infectious rate, and there's not many people practicing social distancing guidelines," said Aaron Bollinger of Kenosha.
"I wouldn't want to expose anyone else to it, and I'm concerned especially about people who are compromised. I had to see my family go through it: a couple daughters in their 20s, my husband who's 60. It was hard," said Beth Cumbo of Kenosha.
Dr. Joyce Sanchez, an infectious disease specialist with Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, said doctors are seeing a "COVID-19 frustration" setting in across Wisconsin.
"The rise in cases and hospitalizations across the state is a reason to sound the alarm, and my concern is that we're having a hard time hearing that alarm anymore," Sanchez said.
But Sanchez said people across Wisconsin have to remain vigilant and following public health guidelines, such as staying outdoors over indoors, wearing masks and following recommendations about isolating.
"While you're waiting for those results, whether or not you know you're positive or negative, you can be transmitting the virus. You can be a vector. You can be a vehicle. You can be a superspreader and not know it," Sanchez said.
Most of the other testing sites in the Kenosha area require an appointment. Information about COVID-19 cases in Kenosha County can be found here.