Confirmed COVID-19 Case at UW-Parkside

SOMERS - A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at UW-Parkside, the Kenosha County Division of Health and UW-Parkside announced jointly today.

One staff member tested positive and is presently in isolation, per Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Kenosha County Division of Health recommendations.

The Kenosha County Division of Health is working with the University to assist in identifying and reaching close contacts of this individual, who will also be required to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure. Close contacts include those who:

• Had direct physical contact with an infected individual (e.g.: a hug or handshake).
• Were within six feet of a COVID-19-positive individual for more than 15 minutes.
• Had contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual (e.g.: were coughed/sneezed on, had contact with dirty tissue, or shared a drinking glass, food or towels or other personal items.

Those who do not receive a phone call from the Division of Health were likely not in contact with the COVID-19-positive individual and are therefore not considered to be in a higher-risk group.

“UW-Parkside has prioritized ensuring the health and safety of the campus community while delivering our academic mission. As we transition between the summer and fall terms, most faculty and staff are still working remotely. UW-Parkside requires all members of the learning community to wear face coverings in campus facilities; maintain appropriate social distancing; and wash their hands frequently. The University plans to maintain a dashboard of COVID-19 test results performed on campus and of positive COVID-19 cases reported by members of the UW-Parkside learning community.” Dr. Renee Kirby, Director of Student Health, Counseling and Disability Services

Every member of the UW-Parkside learning community is urged to monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms, including but not limited to: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headaches, etc.  Employees who become symptomatic should call their health care provider and students should contact the Student Health Center.

Those seeking testing for the virus can find a frequently updated list of testing sites in and around Kenosha County here.

“The Kenosha County Division of Health is actively engaged in working with UW-Parkside to minimize the effect of this confirmed case,” said Kenosha County Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit. “We credit the university for the steps it is taking to address this situation, and we encourage the community as a whole to remain vigilant about preventing the further spread of COVID-19 in Kenosha County.”

For information about COVID-19 cases in Kenosha County and measures people can take to protect themselves from the virus, visit the Kenosha County COVID-19 Information Hub website:

Kenosha County COVID-19 Information Hub

Together, we can and will slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

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