by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) – Sheboygan County’s efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic continue to be effective, if not impressive. All statistics remained the same over the last 24 hours, save for the number of tests, in which all 34 persons were negative. That shows a 5.1% positive return on all 937 tests so far. Total positive cases have numbered 48 for four days running, with only 3 cases added within the last week, and the 5 active cases since yesterday are the lowest number this month so far.
Statewide, another 208 persons tested positive for COVID-19. As a percentage of total tests, the 8.9% positive return rate resumed the downward trend needed to continue for 14 consecutive days as a key requirement to start phase 1 of the “Badger Bounce Back” program to restart the state’s normal operations.
The State Department of Health Services announced that families will now get temporary food benefits in place of free or reduced price school meals. These benefits are called Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT. The benefit amount for March and April combined is $176.70 for each child who gets free or reduced price school meals, and for May-June the amount is $148.20 per child. These benefits will be put on a QUEST card or P-EBT card, which can be used like a debit card to buy food. The department said that those eligible will be notified automatically and so persons don’t need to take any action at this time.
