Oconto County health officials release COVID alert

Sharp increase in positive cases since July 23
By: 
NEW Media Staff

Oconto County Public Health issued a health alert Aug. 5 in response to quickly rising COVID-19 cases in the county.

According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Data Tracker, Oconto County is experiencing a high level of community transmission of COVID-19, defined as more than 100 new COVID-19 cases in seven days and more than 10% of COVID-19 tests being positive, the health alert said.

The rise in cases happened extremely quickly, as Oconto County was listed as having a low transmission rate on July 23 and moved to the high level on July 30. Wisconsin Department of Health Services data shows that the trend of quickly rising cases continues.

Oconto County’s estimated population is nearly 38,000. A NEW Media review showed that from the end of May to July 23, the state Department of Health Services reported about 50 new positive tests for COVID-19 — from a total of 4,499 on May 24 to 4,553 on July 23. By July 28 there were 12 new cases, and as of Aug. 5 another 40 had been added, doubling the May-to-July rate in two weeks.

While nowhere near the numbers of last October and November, when Oconto County was registering as many as 50 and 60 new cases every day, the spike in numbers concerns public health officials.

The alert from Oconto County Public Health urges residents that “to stop the spread of COVID-19, multiple prevention steps are needed, specifically vaccination, masking and testing.”

The vaccination protects against severe illness, hospitalization and death, the department said, but noted that no vaccine is 100% effective. The Delta variant is considered very contagious, and new data suggests that fully vaccinated people can get the Delta variant and spread it to others, according to the alert.

CDC encourages everyone in areas with substantial or high community transmission to wear a mask while in indoor public settings. Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth can help to stop the transmission of the respiratory droplets believed to spread COVID-19. CDC also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Those who are fully vaccinated are now recommended to test 3-5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, as well as wearing a mask indoors in public settings or until they receive a negative test.

The county department also encouraged residents to continue physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick.

To find a vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov or call 211. To find a testing location, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm

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