While the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to compete with recoveries for overall dominance in Sheboygan County, the hospitalization data has Advocate Aurora sounding a cautionary note. That organization on Tuesday released numbers showing clear increases in COVID-19 patients over the past month. Although weekly fluctuations did show a decrease in children’s care, the sample was small at 4 COVID inpatients, with a week-to-week decline of 20%. However, compared to a month ago, that category had increased 300% across the two-state system in Illinois and Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s COVID-19 inpatient numbers at Advocate Aurora were up 45.6% compared to the week previous, and 128% over a month ago. Advocate Aurora stated that the vast majority of their inpatients were unvaccinated, and said that now is as good a time as any to get the vaccine if you’ve been waiting. The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported similar increases in COVID-19 patient loads. On Tuesday, September 7th, 1,045 patients were recorded statewide. That compares with 934 patients on August 31, and 448 on August 8th.
The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health’s COVID-19 data dashboard indicated 19 current hospitalizations in Sheboygan County, down 2 from Friday. 86 new positive tests for COVID-19 since last Friday were offset by 105 recoveries, and 417 cases are now active.
Vaccination rates increased last week in Sheboygan County, with 1,521 doses administered, the highest number since the week of June 13th. 53.9% of county residents, or 62,144 persons, have now received at least one dose, while 50.9%, or 58,716 are fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Five skilled nursing long-term care facilities in Sheboygan County now have active investigations for COVID-19. Those are Countryside, Morningside, Pine Haven – Giddings (Sheboygan Falls), Rocky Knoll and Sheboygan Health Services.
