Current Guidelines

Buffalo County's Current Practice

All COVID-19 tests conducted at a testing facility (hospital, clinic, testing site, etc.) are reported to the Wisconsin Electronic Surveillance System (WEDSS). Buffalo County Public Health conducts follow-ups on those that are reported positive.


If you are 60 years and older, pregnant, hospitalized, or at high risk for severe illness:

  • You will receive a call from someone at Buffalo County Public Health

If you are not high risk or you are under the age of 60 years old:

  • You will receive a letter in the mail from Buffalo County Public Health

** If you test positive with an at-home test, it will not be reported to WEDSS and you will not receive any follow-up from Buffalo County Public Health. If you have questions or concerns regarding your positive test, feel free to call the health department for assistance.

  • Main line: 608-685-4412

Treatment and Medications

COVID-19 treatment options are available for people with mild to moderate symptoms, people in the hospital, and people who may not have symptoms but are at high risk for serious COVID-19 and have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

PLEASE NOTE: Treatment must be started early to work. Contact a provider right away if you test positive for COVID-19.


Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is offering telehealth services to quickly connect with a clinician who can determine if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatment and prescribe it. No insurance is required. 


To start the telehealth appointment process, visit: Easy, free care for COVID-19 (color.com) 


For more information, visit: COVID-19: Secure a COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth Appointment | Wisconsin Department of Health Services 

Isolation Guidelines

If you test positive for COVID-19, whether tested by a provider or by an at-home test, you should isolate yourself from others. You should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your household as best as possible.


If you have no symptoms:

  • Day 0 is the day you were tested

  • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, you should restart to day 0

If you have symptoms:

  • Day 0 is the day your symptoms began, regardless of when you tested


You are likely most infectious during the first 5 days. 

  • Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.

  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. 

  • Do not travel.

  • Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.

  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.

  • Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.

  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.


Ending isolation is based on how serious your symptoms are.

If you have no symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.

If you had symptoms:

  • If your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5 if you have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

  • If your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until they improve and you are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. 


Regardless of when you end your isolation, through day 10 you should: 

  • Avoid those who are at high risk of illness from COVID-19

  • Wear a mask indoors when around others

  • Avoid places you cannot wear a mask