by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – There was grim news when the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health issued its daily report on Wednesday. Two deaths were added for the second consecutive day, raising the county toll to 14. Both of the latest victims were age 80 or older.
The Division of Public Health expressed its deep sadness for having to report the two new deaths, and condolences were offered to those families that have lost loved ones during this time. The DPH said that as case numbers have continued to rise, so have the number of deaths, and in an effort to remain consistent with its priority to be transparent with the community, an explanation on the methodology behind reporting the data was offered. Their release was as follows:
“Specifically related to reporting deaths– locally, Sheboygan County Division of Public Health records and reports deaths under the directives given by WI Department of Health Services. According to this state directive, by the WI Department of Health Services, health departments are to record a death with “any laboratory confirmed case with COVID listed as an immediate cause of death OR due to consequence of OR condition contributing to the death on the death certificate.” Deaths must be reported by health care providers, medical examiners/coroners, and recorded by local health departments in order to be counted.
Locally, our reported death data is reflective of any person with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 test and COVID-19 listed on their death certificate. At this time, Sheboygan County Division of Public Health will continue to report death’s in this manner, per the directives of WI DHS.”
The DPH release concluded by expressing that it’s vital that: “…we all continue to do our part in stopping the spread of disease, to prevent further deaths from COVID-19 or as a contributing factor of COVID-19.”
Wednesday’s update also reported 15 new positive test returns from a pool of 306 in all. That’s a positive return rate of just under 5%. The active case count declined by 5 to 112, as another 18 persons recovered from the disease. The county hospital population remained steady at 8.
Wisconsin experienced little statistical change from Tuesday with today’s report of numbers. Positive test returns came in at 10,788, down 130 from 10,918 on Tuesday. The positive test percentage was 11.5% compared with 11% Tuesday, and the running 7-day average positive is now at 14.1%, slightly above Tuesday’s 14.0%. Eight more persons lost their battle with COVID-19, raising the state death toll to 1,228. 48 more persons were hospitalized in the last 24-hours, putting the patient count at 342. Another 154 persons are hospitalized with symptoms, but still awaiting test results. 95 patients are in the ICU, and 354 require mechanical ventilation.
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