Positive tests for COVID-19 surge in Oconto County

Details about the county’s first death were not released
By: 
NEW Media Staff

Oconto County recorded its first death from COVID-19 on Aug. 12, according to data from the state Department of Health Services (DHS).

The county has seen a surge in positive tests for the potentially deadly virus since the end of June, when 59 positive tests had been listed. In the next month more than 100 additional positives came in, for a total of 164 on July 31, and another 100 were recorded by Aug. 15.

As of Monday, Aug. 17, DHS was reporting 290 positive tests in Oconto County, and that number was an increase of 14 from 276 the day before.

Deb Konitzer, the county’s public health officer, reported to the Health & Human Services Board on Aug. 12 that her office was investigation at least five outbreaks of COVID-19 in the county. Details about the death, which was reported after the board met that day, have not been released.

Officials continue to recommend following the governor’s executive order requiring masks indoors and in close outdoor situations, and large gatherings are discouraged, including community festivals/events, birthday and/or graduation parties, neighborhood parties, and sporting events.

Konitzer was not able to return a call to the Times Herald before deadline on Monday.

“We stayed home for months and we understand that people want to get together,” the Public Health Department stated on the county website. “It is important to remember that ‘open’ does not mean ‘over.’ COVID-19 is still spreading from person to person and will continue to do so if we don’t take steps to prevent the spread: washing hands, staying home when sick, wearing a face mask, and keeping distance from others.”

People with symptoms of COVID-19 — including fever, cough and shortness of breath — are encouraged to get tested.