by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – Sheboygan County added another 207 positive test returns to its pandemic total, which now stands at 3,464 as of Friday’s update from the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health, representing a new high single-day number of positive cases. 65 of those were inmates at KMCI where 818 cases have now been recorded. With 44 recoveries, the county’s active case count reached a new high of 666 persons, and of those, 20 – also a new record – were hospitalized. As 958 negative test returns were received, the positive percentage was 17.76%.
Wisconsin added a new daily high of 3,861 positive COVID-19 returns after Thursday’s 3,747 set the previous record. With 10,725 negative test returns, the positive percentage was about 26.5%. 21 deaths occurred since Thursday, putting the death toll at 1,574. 135 hospitalizations for COVID-19 were noted in the last 24-hours.
On Thursday, the Wisconsin DHS reported 1,043 patients in hospitals being treated for confirmed COVID-19 disease, while another 236 awaited test results while hospitalized for respiratory disease. 264 ICU beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, and 446 persons were on ventilators.
Today, one of the metrics that is key to prompting implementation of the next phase of the Sheboygan County Safe Restart Plan was adjusted to “yellow”, or “proceed with caution”. That indicator had been “green”, or “excellent” on previous reports. The change indicates that our area hospitals are at risk of being unable to treat all patients requiring hospitalization without resorting to crisis standards. As a result, the Sheboygan County Safe Restart remains in Phase-2, as it has been since the beginning of June. The daily report from County DHS said that with hospital systems reporting increased concern related to local capacity, Public Health continues to urge everyone to take action to prevent the spread of infection. Those actions have not changed since the beginning of the pandemic, namely:
Physically distance at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live.
Wear a cloth face mask, unless unable to wear one for medical reasons.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60%
alcohol.
Indoors, do not gather with people outside of your household.
Outdoors, limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer, physically distance and wear face coverings.
Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after return from travel.
If symptomatic, get a test and stay home while awaiting results.
Cooperate with public health officials if you have tested positive or are a close contact.
Also, in its weekly update of the Sheboygan County School Risk Status, County DHS listed that as “High”.
On Friday, the County DHS revised its guidance as concerns Halloween recommendations. Considering that the county progressed from a “high” activity level when initially issuing its guidelines, to a “very high” level now, the DHS now advises AGAINST door-to-door trick-or-treating at this time. Instead, alternative ways to celebrate Halloween are encouraged, and linked in the daily report available at sheboygancounty.com.
