Richland Center, WI: Richland Emergency Management Director, Darin Gudgeon announced that “Richland County has completed Phase 1A and has been progressing through Phase 1B of the Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Plan. Starting January 25th, the Phase 1B groups eligible to receive the vaccine will include individuals age 65 years and older, corrections personnel, and funeral workers. Details and links to schedule your appointment and/or add your name to the waitlist can be found at https://www.richlandhospital.com/covid19/.”
A collaborative partnership between the Richland Hospital, Center Pharmacy, Richland County Health & Human Services, and Richland County Emergency Management has been established to effectively and efficiently distribute vaccinations as they become available. This group meets weekly to review the implementation of the local plan and to progress through the following phase timeline:
- Phase 1: December 2020 – Spring 2021
- Phase 2: Spring 2021 – Summer 2021
- Phase 3: Summer 2021 – Beyond
The current breakdown of the phases of the Wisconsin COVID-19 Response Plan are as follows (as of January 12, 2021):
- Phase 1A includes vaccinating front-line health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff that generally serve people 65 years and older.
- Phase 1B includes vaccinating law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, front-line essential workers, corrections personnel, funeral workers, and individuals age 65 and older.
- Phase 1C includes vaccinating individuals age 16 to 64 with high-risk conditions and essential workers not included in Phase 1b.
- Phase 2 includes vaccinating all individuals age 16 and older not included in Phase 1 (general public).
- Phase 3 vaccine distribution will be widespread and incorporated into preventative care.
Up to date information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and the progression of phases in Richland County can be found on the following sites, as well as by listening to WRCO:
Richland County Health & Human Services
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rchhs
Website https://covid.co.richland.wi.us/vaccine-information/.
The Richland Hospital
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichlandHospital
Website www.richlandhospital.com
The State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is offering a weekly newsletter on Fridays to keep the public informed of COVID-19 response and vaccine progress. State residents can sign up for weekly emails containing updates, news and resources. Registration is now open, and archived copies of the weekly newsletter will also be available.
Until the COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, citizens are encouraged to follow the strategies listed below to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19:
- Physically distance at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live.
- Wear a cloth face mask, unless unable to wear one for medical reasons.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Indoors: do not gather with people outside of your household.
- Outdoors: limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer, physically distance and wear face coverings.
- If symptomatic, call your health care provider, get a test, and stay home while awaiting results.
- Cooperate with public health officials if you have tested positive or are a close contact.
Additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/vaccines-diseases/covid19/. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, follow Richland County Health & Human Services on Facebook or consult the following websites:
- Richland County: https://covid.co.richland.wi.us
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
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