Staying Safe In Wisconsin As COVID-19 Cases Surge This Holiday
MILWAUKEE, WI — The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Wisconsin sharply increased in early December, and the Department of Health Services urged people to get vaccinated as omicron variant cases and Christmas family gatherings both draw closer.
A total of 41 counties in Wisconsin have "critically high" COVID-19 case activity as of Wednesday, state health services data showed. The remaining 31 counties have "very high" case activity.
Daily COVID-19 cases are still in high numbers in the U.S., and after a drop in cases in mid-October and mid-November, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows they are on a steep curve upward before the end of December. As of Friday, the seven-day average for cases is just over 125,700, according to CDC data.
The omicron variant, a recently discovered coronavirus mutation with potential to be highly transmissible, was discovered in Wisconsin on Dec. 4. Health experts say they're waiting to see how transmissible the new variant is, the severity of its illness and how effective vaccines will hold against it.
Meanwhile, state health officials approved the Pfizer booster shot for 16- and 17-year-olds if they got two doses of the Pfizer vaccine six months before, and said the best way to protect young children who aren't eligible for vaccination is by getting the shot for those around them who can.
Here's a snapshot of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, the seven-day average for positive COVID-19 tests was 3,558 per day as of Thursday, health services data showed. A total of 3,965 people tested positive that day.
The seven-day average for COVID-19 deaths was 26 confirmed deaths per day on Thursday, and state health services data shows that 27 people died of COVID-19-related issues that day.
A total of 57.7 percent of Wisconsinites were fully vaccinated against the virus on Wednesday, and 61.3 percent of Wisconsin residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
What To Know First About COVID-19 In Wisconsin
Here's what Wisconsinites need to know to celebrate the end of the year safely.
Getting vaccinated is still the best way to stay safe and protect others, according to the CDC. State health experts said it also protects people who can't get the shot, like children under 5. Booster shots are highly recommended six months after people get their first two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or their single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
According to state health services data, Wisconsin residents who weren't fully vaccinated were 12 times as likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were. Unvaccinated people were nearly 11 times more likely to be hospitalized from the coronavirus and five times more likely to be infected.
Wisconsin hospitals are experiencing an overflow of COVID-19 patients, and Wisconsin Hospital Association data showed that over 1,600 Wisconsinites are in a hospital bed due to the virus. There are a total of 44 ICU beds left in the state as of Friday.
SSM Health Monroe Hospital has about 50 percent more patients than what the staff is meant to manage, hospital president Jane Curran-Meuli told WISC-TV. "Our ICU is 2-3 times higher to what we’re staffed to, and there’s no more staff," she said.
Health officials said most of the virus patients entering hospital and ICU beds in Wisconsin aren't fully vaccinated and urge people to get the shot before traveling.
Health Experts' Advice
Anyone who isn't fully vaccinated should wear a mask over their mouth and nose when indoors in public, the CDC said. Even those who are fully vaccinated should mask up when the transmission rate is high in their community. Children under 2 shouldn't wear a mask.
People should avoid crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, and federal guidance says people who are sick or have symptoms shouldn't host or attend gatherings.
Getting tested or self-testing for COVID-19 before joining indoor gatherings can help stop the spread of the disease, the CDC said. For anyone who tests positive, the message is to stay home and avoid indoor gatherings.
The CDC also recommends that people avoid travel until they're fully vaccinated. Everyone is required to wear a mask on public transportation and should follow their domestic or international travel guidelines.
Finally, those have weakened immune systems should heed all recommended precautions and wear a well-fitting mask, and household members should consider masking up regardless of transmission levels.
Anyone traveling for the holidays should consult the CDC's holiday tips page.
This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Patch
