BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- We learn about more confirmed cases of coronavirus almost daily. Some people have been asking for more information about those cases, but local health departments say they are protecting the privacy of those testing positive.
Claire Paprocki with Brown County Public Health said HIPAA laws have been relaxed a bit for law enforcement and providers but not for the general public. She said that's why they're choosing to be as respectful as possible to those testing positive for coronavirus.
"There are some really good internet experts out there that can definitely put two and two together if we release a lot of information regarding the confirmed cases," added Paprocki.
She explained that people will be contacted if they are believed to be a high risk contact. She said to be a considered a high risk contact, someone would have to spend a significant amount of time in an enclosed space with a person who tested positive.
When it comes to apartment complexes, Paprocki said people should be following good social distancing protocol. She said people should be in their own living spaces, however, if a person has a roommate or family member living in their unit, and they test positive, the health department would contact those in the unit. She said people should not be spending any significant time around others they don't live with.
Paprocki also explained positive cases and essential trips like to the grocery store. She said if someone tests positive for COVID-19 and had been at a grocery store, that doesn't necessarily mean everyone who was at the grocery store is a high risk contact. She reminds everyone to continue practicing social distance and wear a mask as is recommended.
We also talked with the Appleton Health Department. Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht said there's often a stigma attached will illness so they don't give out specific information to keep the person's identity private. He said it's also important to remember many are asymptomatic. He said people could be spreading the illness from person to person without showing any symptoms themselves.
