By Ken Krall/WXPR

Wednesday, Vilas County officials announced the first case of coronavirus, or COVID-19. Thursday the second case has been confirmed.

The Public Health Department says the unidentified person is in isolation. The Health Department is working to find out how the person became infected and is contacting persons the patient had close contact.

Wednesday, it was reported a 65-year-old male who had been traveling also acquired the disease. These are the first two cases of the disease in the immediate Northwoods, though cases had been discovered in northwestern Wisconsin.

The Health Department cautions the public to follow Governor Evers’ Safe At Home order and stay home as much as possible. They also recommend the now-familiar protocols of frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and practicing social distancing. Total positive cases are more than 700 statewide with eight deaths.