COVID-19 returns to news as case numbers rise

An old menace is stalking Chippewa County and the State of Wisconsin, only this time around, the guard is (mostly) down and public consciousness along with precautions have followed suit.

What is this present if largely unrecognized menace?

Take a bolded-headline guess.

With cold weather driving people indoors and the annual cold and flu season coming into view as well, the rise in confirmed covid cases is raising concerns, not least of all in the effect that it could have on ICU bed vacancies. The Iocal ICU bed use as of Thursday November 18, for instance, was 98 percent. Should that reach 100 percent, it could mean either turning people away or else transferring them to areas with open ICU beds, which would then affect those areas ability to cope with COVID-19 this holiday season. Nonetheless, public awareness and preparedness weren’t optimal.

“I do have very few people under 65 who are calling about a booster,” Chippewa County Health Director Angela Weideman said of vaccination against Covid during a remotely held internet press conference November 18. As of Monday November 22, The numbers for COVID at the County Health Department and statewide had reached 425 active cases with 11 new ones, and seventeen hospitalized. With the number of “breakthrough” in- fections (meaning in vaccinated individuals) on the rise as well, educational institutions led the way over and above long-term care facilities as the primary environment with active outbreak investigations listed at the State Health website.

As of November 17 the number of active investigations in Chippewa County among educational institutions was set at six, or roughly half of all 13 countywide. In Eau Claire the number of active outbreak investigations was set at 37 in ‘educational facilities, with a total of 63 countywide.

Up in Taylor County, meanwhile, the number of investigations at educational facilities totaled four, tying with workplace settings of a non-healthcare nature, the Taylor county total for investigations being 13.

For Clark County, educational facilities made up a total of eight investigations, long-term care facilities tied with non-healthcare related workplaces at four each for investigations, the county total being 21 outbreak investigations in all.

Locally at Stanley-Boyd, meanwhile, the numbers posted to the district website as of Monday under the “district tab” and “Covid-19 updates,” were as follows: 61 students in isolation or quarantine, one staff members isolated or quarantined, 10 active positive cases among students and three among staff, with a cumulative total of positive cases since August 1 of 136. Isolation or quarantine may be due to being exposed to someone with Covid or having a close contact at home, and does not mean that the isolated or quarantined individual is ill or experiencing symptoms.

At the same time, the district website shares guidelines for keeping Covid under control as the school year continues: 1. WEAR A MASK – remember to mask up on the bus too!

2. Maintain social distance. 3. Wash your hands often. 4. Stay home if you are ill or show symptoms.

Returning from school into the more general public sphere, the Chippewa County Health Department has the following guidelines for keeping Covid in check this holiday season: 1. Get a vaccine or booster 2. Follow local and state guidelines (these may differ by business or setting) 3. Take precautions in indoor spaces. 4. Choose outdoor spaces when possible. 5. Stay at home if you are feeling sick (cold and flu season is also in view) Vaccines can be scduled by calling the Chippewa County Health Department at 715-7267900.

By taking proper precautions, a person helps keep not only themselves but their loved ones safe this holiday season.

The Covid case numbers from Chippewa County as of Monday November 22.