by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – While the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health advised that numbers may fluctuate day-to-day, and that 2-week rates and trajectories are a better measure of the pandemic, the three deaths reported since Saturday are clear evidence that COVID-19 remains a dangerous disease. Of the deaths reported Monday, one was in their 70s, and the other two were at least 80 years old. Of the 66 victims so far in Sheboygan County, two were in their 30s, three were in their 40s, five were in their 50s, eleven were in their 60s, 16 were in their 70s and 29 were at least 80 years old.
The daily numbers came with an asterisk, accompanied by that message of fluctuations, and at this point numbers appear to be tentative. That being said, 175 – or 43.4% – of test returns received for the period Saturday through Monday were positive for COVID-19, raising the total so far to 9,646. 1,895 cases are active, 253 fewer than last reported on Friday. 425 persons were added to the recovery list, and 22 persons are hospitalized, 8 fewer than reported on Friday.
As for the two-week trajectories, data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services show Sheboygan County’s Activity as “Critically High,” with a burden of 1,234.8 cases per 100,000 persons, and a two-week trajectory that was down 42%.
Wisconsin saw 7,906 tests results reported on Monday, and 2,155 – or 27.2% – were positive. 19 deaths were reported since Sunday, and the state death toll rests at 3,738. 70 more persons were hospitalized in the last 24-hours, and the COVID-19 patient population is at 1,566, 64 more than on Sunday (although the 7-day change is -279). 326 of those are in ICU beds. Another 122 patients are being treated while awaiting test results, and 572 persons require ventilators at this time. 6 patients currently occupy the Alternate Care Facility at State Fair Park in West Allis.
As of today, the State DHS and County DPH are acting in harmony with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as it pertains to updated quarantine guidance. Quarantining for 14 full days after the time of exposure remains the safest strategy for preventing asymptomatic transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, a shorter protocol has been put in place for those who may have been exposed but show no evidence of symptoms. For those who show no symptoms after 10 days following suspected exposure and without being tested, quarantine can end. For those who may have been exposed and received a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours before day 7 at the earliest, but show no symptoms, quarantine may end after – but no earlier than – day 7. A pending test result on day 7 is not sufficient to end quarantine early. In any case, persons must continue to monitor for symptoms daily, and if those develop at any time, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report their change in status.
