We were told that COVID-19 would likely become a seasonal illness like the flu, and evidence collected by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services seems to confirm that its return is upon us.
With the growth of at-home testing and reduced reporting, case data had become unreliable, and so Wisconsin stopped case-counting as a way to monitor for COVID-19. But wastewater contains virus particles that people with an illness shed whether they know it or not, and that means accurate disease tracking can continue by testing sewer water instead of people.
This method is showing that the virus is making the rounds once again. Sheboygan readings began to increase in August, but leveled out by October, And while the State DHS says that Sheboygan’s concentration is considered very high, stable counts aren’t generating much attention. That’s not the case in Plymouth, though, where levels began increasing in September, and are now some three times higher than Sheboygan’s levels. The DHS calls that a significant increase and with the cold indoor season upon us, that’s a troubling reminder that COVID is ready for another round whether we are or not…which is why they recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
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