by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health had words of advice along with its daily update of numbers today: We’re still in the first of 3 phases of the Sheboygan County Safe Restart plan, and it’s not yet time for large gatherings.
In a memo, the County DPH advised that guidelines established by state and federal health departments are also in place here, and those will dictate when phase 2, which would allow for outdoor events that provide 6-foot distancing and also up bar and restaurant capacity from 25% to 50%, is put in place. Until then, no fairs, festivals, parades or conferences are feasible within physical distancing and sanitation guidelines. They advise that should one choose to go against this guidance, recommendations set forth in the Sheboygan County Safe Restart Plan and sector specific guidelines from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation should be employed. Links to those are all included in the daily update page from the County DHS here: https://www.sheboygancounty.com/departments/departments-f-q/health-and-human-services/public-health/coronavirus-covid-19/daily-updates
As for the numbers, one of the 69 tests conducted since Thursday was positive, raising the positive case number in Sheboygan County to 89. 9 of those cases are active, though none is hospitalized. 77 persons have recovered from COVID-19. As of today, 3,038 persons have tested negative in Sheboygan County.
In Wisconsin, metrics used by the Badger Bounce Back program continue to struggle, failing to satisfy metrics in the downward trajectories of influenza-like illnesses, the 14-day downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests, and the downward trend of COVID-19 cases among health care workers.
By the numbers, 17, 707 total cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in the state, and 568 persons have died of the disease, 18 of those since yesterday. A new record 13,602 tests were performed in the last 24-hours. 12,869 were negative, while 733 – or 5.4% – were positive.
Community Testing without an appointment and free of charge to those showing symptoms of COVID-19 will continue at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds through 7 PM Friday, and from 8-4 on Saturday. The testing, performed by the Wisconsin National Guard, will test for the presence of COVID-19, and is not an antibody test that could indicate previous exposure and, or possible immunity.
