by Kevin Zimmerman
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – The summer activity season is ending as it began – under the shadow of a pandemic. Instead of gathering freely with family and friends, and with crowds strolling the paths at the Sheboygan County Fair, Labor Day – as was Memorial Day – is instead carefully planned, responsibly spaced and masked for safety. At least, those are the wishes of State and local health officials, who pronounce that mass gatherings and events are NOT recommended or advised.
The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health will join the rest of the community, observing a break on Monday, and so issued its last daily report until Tuesday, September 8th. In it, 9 positive test returns out of a sample of 303 were received since Thursday. That’s a positive rate of just under 3%, and those cases contribute to the 107 that are currently active, and the running total of 1,117 cases. Seven persons – one less than Thursday – are receiving hospital treatment for their symptoms. Fifteen persons have officially recovered in the previous 24-hours.
Given recent trends, the Sheboygan County Safe Restart Plan will remain in Phase-2. This limits capacity at non-essential businesses, bars, restaurants and organizations to 50%, recommends that those 65 and older – or medically vulnerable – to limit travel and remain at home as much as possible, and advises that outdoor events should allow all people to maintain 6 feet physical distance from others. Also, online education and remote work options should be supported as is able, masking is encouraged for both staff and consumers, and as for those choosing to host a Labor Day gathering: private indoor social gatherings should be limited to 25 people or less with physical distancing.
Schools, most of which launched the 2020-21 school year this past week, are being advised by the County DPH that their risk level is “High”. This level advises a blended format for face-to-face learning, 6-foot physical distancing, mandatory face masks for students K-12, visitors and staff, along with active monitoring. Meals should be consumed in classrooms, no assemblies or field trips should be arranged, along with many other recommendations that can be found in the daily report on the county’s website sheboygancounty.com.
Wisconsin’s positive case rate leaped from 7.9, to 12.8% Friday as 1,498 of a total 11,702 test results came back positive, and the 7-day running average was pushed to 9.1%. Seven more persons succumbed to COVID-19, raising the death toll to 1,153. 52 more persons entered hospitals, putting the total population of COVID patients at 293, 104 of whom are in the ICU. Another 140 persons are hospitalized awaiting test results, and 399 persons are on ventilators.
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