The Sturgeon Bay Common Council met Thursday to declare an emergency related to the current public health crisis. It gives authority to Mayor David Ward, Administrator Josh VanLieshout, and Council President Dan Williams to take any steps needed to combat potential coronavirus cases in Sturgeon Bay. Ward says the city’s role in the crisis is to aid state and county efforts.

Ward wants to squelch rumors of positive cases of COVID-19 locally. He says the information that has been released by the county is accurate; the disease has not reached the area. Ward stresses that speculation to the contrary can be very damaging to specific businesses mentioned by name in the chatter.