Holman makes emergency declaration for Portage Co.
By Patrick Lynn
County Executive Chris Holman on Thursday night declared a state of emergency for Portage Co.
In his press statement, Holman said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, but it’s clear the impacts of the numerous closures and ban on public gatherings would have a significant impact on the county’s economy.
“In fact, they already are,” Holman said by email Thursday night. “The county also needs to be positioned to adapt to any other changes that we will encounter in the near- or long-term, and this declaration helps us do that.
Declaring a state of emergency positions the county eligibility from state and federal funding sources. At present, Holman said he has no intention of closing down county offices.
Holman said he was “heartened” with the community’s response, and those of municipal leaders, in ensuring information is distributed quickly, and that neighbors are stepping up to help one another.
“The continued advocacy on our behalf from our state representatives are all very important steps to take in these earlier stages of our attempts to ‘flatten the curve’” (i.e. slow down the spread of COVID-19) and to help our local health care systems and providers be better positioned to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees, their patients, and the entire community,” Holman said. “At this point, the only thing that we know for certain is that the situation will continue to change. The county and the entire community will need to be patient, flexible, and calm in our approach so that we keep our focus on where it should be—helping each other get through this, together.”
Mayor Mike Wiza declared a state of emergency for Stevens Point on Wednesday. Village Administrator Dan Mahoney said the Village of Plover plans to declare an emergency soon.
You can find the latest updates and guidance on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website as well as Portage County’s COVID-19 webpage, which can be found at https://www.co.portage.wi.us/home.
