COVID death toll continues to climb in Oconto County

County officials unsure when vaccine will be available locally
By: 
Warren Bluhm
Oconto County Times Herald News Editor

The Oconto County death toll from COVID-19 rose into the mid-30s last week.

Human Services Director Mike Reimer told the county board Dec. 17 that the state Department of Health Services was reporting 35 deaths among county residents.

“The death figure is about a month behind usually, because it takes a little time for the medical examiner to certify the death. So the number is certainly higher than that,” Reimer said. As if to confirm that statement, the state’s official count rose to 36 the next day and to 37 over the weekend.

The number of positive tests for the coronavirus jumped in the county this fall, Reimer said. As of Oct. 1, about one in every 20 Oconto County residents had tested positive; by Nov. 1 the figure was one in 14, and on Dec. 1 it was one in 10.

Although COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distribution has begun, Reimer warned that it will still be a few months before local residents can expect to receive inoculations.

“People see that the vaccine is available, and we’re getting calls (saying), ‘I’m going to come down and get my shot,’” Reimer said. “We’re not even close to that yet.”

Public Health Officer Debra Konitzer said workers in health care, law enforcement and the Highway Department (such as snowplow operators) are likely to get the vaccine before members of the general public.

“The logistics are pretty complicated, but we have been talking about it for quite some time,” Konitzer said. “As for a time frame for when the vaccine will be here, it’s really unknown.”