North Shore Sees Highest COVID-19 Case Increase Since 2020: NSHD
SHOREWOOD, WI — In Shorewood, one of the most vaccinated parts of Wisconsin, the positive COVID-19 case burden has more than doubled between Dec. 17 and Dec. 28, according to data from the North Shore Health Department.
The NSHD data for Shorewood—reported by the Shorewood School District—shows a case burden of 455 per 100,000 people for Dec. 17. On Dec. 28, the case burden in Shorewood jumped to 1097 per 100,000 people.
Dec. 23 was the highest one-day increase in positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic, the NSHD reported via Facebook, when 185 people in the North Shore tested positive with PCR tests.
The seemingly sudden rise of cases comes regardless of Shorewood's 77 percent vaccination rate. It also comes as the omicron variant spreads across much of the country, leaving many to scramble for testing, reports show, and as the CDC revises its guidance for isolating and quarantining if exposed or testing positive.
Here's what you need to know about the new CDC recommendations:
How can you protect yourself against the new coronavirus variant?
Get vaccinated, officials have said.
Also, in the North Shore, NSHD recommends people wear masks anytime they are indoors around others, regardless of their vaccination status.
Data from South Africa and the United Kingdom show two doses of an mRNA vaccine provide a 35 percent effectiveness against omicron infection. A booster shot bumps that effectiveness up to 75 percent, according to the CDC.
"The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement Monday. "CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses."
"These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather," Walensky added.
Here's Where You Can Get A COVID-19 Test In Shorewood
Clinics Closest To Shorewood
To find out the closest pharmacy, clinic or grocery store near you that offers a COVID-19 test, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. A map of testing sites close to Shorewood is available online. They include:
North Shore Pharmacy
1421 East Capitol Drive in Shorewood
Register online at DOINEEDACOVID19TEST.COM
Call at (414) 962-9665
CVS
4035 North Oakland Avenue in Shorewood
By appointment.
Call at (414) 961-2001
The Shorewood School District
Shorewood schools will be offering expanded COVID-19 testing for students throughout winter break, the district announced.
"We ask that if you travel or are gathering with people outside your household, you please have your child tested prior to returning to school," the district said in its announcement.
More details about how to get your Shorewood School District student tested is available online.
City of Milwaukee Testing Clinics
The City of Milwaukee has several free drive-thru and walk-up community COVID-19 testing sites for anyone 12-months or older, regardless of symptoms. The sites will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2.
Northwest Health Center
7630 West Mill RoadDrive-thru garage with entry at the Mill Road Library, 6431 North 76th Street
Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Southside Health Center
1639 South 23rd StreetDrive-thru heated tent, entry on 24th Street
Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Menomonee Valley Site
2401 West St. Paul AvenueDrive-thru garage
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 12-6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
More information about City of Milwaukee testing sites is available online.
Summit Clinical Laboratories
Summit hosts COVID-19 testing clinics at locations across the Milwaukee area. Many locations may be closed on certain days during the holiday season.
The closest locations to Shorewood are located at 5434 West Capitol Drive Suite #1 in Milwaukee or 8643 North Port Washington Road in Fox Point.
Call Summit ahead of a visit at 262-788-9311. Summit is closed on Dec. 25 and 26. For more hours visit their website.
Do-It-Yourself With A Pharmacy Kit
Places like Walgreens, CVS and Pick 'n Save have limited appointments for tests and a limited supply of over-the-counter tests that can be taken at home. In addition to that, many pharmacies are limiting the number of tests each customer can buy, and reports show many pharmacies have run out of self-test supplies.
Still, take-home tests may be available at your local pharmacy, and it's always a good idea to call ahead and check.
State health services offer an entire database for community testing sites, and can be another option as they mail an at-home collection kit straight to your home.
The following are the state health-service guidelines on at-home rapid COVID-19 test results.
Positive test results mean that you are likely infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. People who test positive should stay home or isolate for 10 days and avoid gathering with people outside of the household.
Negative test results mean that you are likely not infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, but false negatives are possible. State health services say to consider testing again a day or two later, and tests at least 24 hours apart increase confidence in the results.
Contact your healthcare provider or a community testing site if you have trouble understanding the results or are concerned with the accuracy of the result.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
WI Health Officials Support CDC's Shortened COVID-19 Isolation
Omicron Could 'Overwhelm' Already Stretched WI Hospitals
COVID-19 Booster Shots: Where To Find Them In Wisconsin
This article originally appeared on the Shorewood Patch
