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of the above counties also have a high Amish and Mennonite populations, groups that tend to be apolitical and keep themselves largely separate from mainstream society. It is not known what affect this may or may not have on broader statistical averages. As to the State of Wisconsin generally, meanwhile, the Journal- Sentinel reports that “all the Wisconsin counties (with the exception of Rock County) in the bottom half when it comes to vaccination rates backed Trump,” while “those with the highest vaccination rates, including Door Dane and Bayfield counties, all back Biden,” it is reported. Trump was widely known to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19 during his presidency last year, while Biden has generally followed the recommendations of health authorities, each man setting a potential example for his supporters.

As to the percentage in Rock County downstate, the percentage stood at 26.8 percent being fully vaccinated, with 38.5 percent of Rock County residents receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. With 4.46 million total vaccine doses administered in Wisconsin as of Saturday April 24 and 1.93 million fully vaccinated against COVID-19, what’s the local picture in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties? For that, we turn to the State Department of Health website.

For Chippewa County as of last Saturday, the State health website reported that 39.6 percent of residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 31.9 percent had completed the series. For Eau Claire County, the numbers were 44.4 percent with at least one dose, while 34.7 percent of County residents had completed their vaccine series. Statewide, Pfizer leads the vaccine options with 2,249,286 doses administered, followed by Moderna with 1,801,479 doses, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine lags at 166,169 doses administered, being stopped after it was determined to cause a small blood-clot risk. Chippewa County currently uses the Moderna vaccine. As to historical data, these are the local numbers as of Saturday, April 25.

For the County of Chippewa, there had been 7,288 positive test results with 30,083 negative results, and a 3.57 for positive 7-day average. For Clark County, the number of positive to negative test results was 3,215 positives to 11,216 negatives, with a 7-day positivity average of 2.29. For Rusk County, there were 1,284 positive test results with 5,256 negatives, and a 7-day positivity average of 0.71. Finally, for Taylor County, the numbers were 1,855 positive test results to 6,140 negative test results over the course of the pandemic as of Friday April 25, with a 7-day positivity average of 0.71. Taken as a general measure, a higher positivity rate means a greater prevalence of COVID-19, in terms of confirmed cases.

Whereas rates are currently low, a consistent ethic of life and long-term economic recovery entail doing all we can to make sure the lid is kept relatively shut on COVID-19. We’re in this together.