By Chris Spangler
Contributor
As the number of COVID-19 cases declines, the public is reminded that social distancing and wearing facemasks remain extremely important in curbing the coronavirus’ spread.
Jefferson County epidemiologist Samroz Jakvani confirmed that the 14-day rolling average of positive COVID cases has been dropping in the county, as it has nationwide. While that is good news, residents are not out of the woods yet.
“We are happy to see the numbers of cases drop to these low levels, with an average of 11 cases per day, adjusted per 100,000,” he said. “However, testing has also dropped and we are catching fewer cases, so we know the real number is at least somewhat higher than that, though likely not by many.”
As of Thursday, the City of Fort Atkinson had recorded 1,714 confirmed COVID-19 cases of the virus since last mid-March.
The county’s 14-day rolling average of confirmed and probable coronavirus cases has dropped in recent weeks by two-thirds to 10 new cases daily per 100,000 residents, for a total 135 during that time period. That bumps up to 12 and 167, respectively, when probable cases are added.
Jefferson County’s total of positive cases hit 7,854 Thursday, with 947 probable cases. The county death toll hit 111, with another 14 probable COVID-19 deaths.
“We reached 100 deaths several weeks ago, and the deaths continue to occur in a slow, but steady manner,” Jakvani said. “Hospitalizations have decreased, as have the number of cases that require ICU attention.”
He said that health officials are concerned with reports of new COVID-19 variants circulating in other states, and around the globe.
“While we have only confirmed a couple of these new variants in Wisconsin, we know them to be more transmissible and want to ensure that folks are continuing to mask, physically distance and maintain all the public health precautions we know to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” he said. “If you have traveled, please be careful and stay home if you are feeling ill.”
Jakvani pointed out that there are a number of factors that have been driving the overall trend downward.
“Folks have been staying home, perhaps because of the cold weather or because they have become familiar with the strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and are limiting their exposure,” he said. “We have no evidence to suggest vaccinations alone have begun to significantly impact case rates, though we anticipate that to have more of an impact as we vaccinate more individuals each day.
“We know that a high percentage of the population has some degree of immunity, as a result of prior infections or because of vaccination, which is helping to mitigate spread of the virus,” he added.
Jakvani said that businesses and employers also have become very familiar with how to keep their environments safe, so the county is seeing fewer and less severe outbreaks occur, which also is helping to decrease in case rates.
“Folks across Jefferson County know the importance of masking up, maintaining physical distance, and healthy behaviors – and that mindfulness is making the biggest difference as far as new cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jakvani reported that more than 11,286 individuals in Jefferson County have received at least one dose of a vaccine, about 15 percent of eligible individuals.
The county has been receiving both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“Our supply is about 400 doses per week, on average, though we have received as little as zero to 100 doses per week and have also been able to obtain additional vaccine through our partners for some weeks,” Jakvani said.
He emphasized that the county is working hard to obtain and administer vaccine in a safe, efficient, and expedient manner.
“We will continue to try to get as much vaccine as possible, and will administer it as quickly as we are able,” Jakvani said. “We know that folks are eager to get vaccinated, and want them to know that everyone who desires vaccine will eventually have that access, but in the meantime. we ask folks to be patient as we vaccinate those who are at the highest risk for infection, transmission, and serious illness or death.”
He advised residents to stay tuned to the Health Department’s websites, dashboard and social media for updates on eligible populations.
“And as always, if you are feeling ill, please get tested!” he added.
Currently, vaccinations are being given to persons age 65 and older, frontline and long-term healthcare workers, emergency and corrections personnel, nursing home residents and essential workers.
Starting Monday, March 1, groups that also will be eligible for vaccinations include education and childcare staff, individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, some public-facing essential workers, non-frontline healthcare essential personnel, and facility staff and residents in congregate living settings.
“On March 1st, … School and daycare staff will be prioritized for these doses, for whom the state will be setting aside doses. We will also prioritize those 65 and older for vaccine as we continue through Phase 1B.
“We do not know at this time who will be in subsequent phases,” Jakvani said.
He noted that Jefferson County residents currently may sign up for the COVID-19 vaccinations by submitting a survey that is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/65EKDIS. They then will be contacted by the county with instructions to call in at a certain time and day to set up an appointment.
Starting on March 1, the county Health Department will register eligible individuals through a survey to be posted on its website, dashboard and social media. To sign up, visit https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/community/residents/vaccine.php.
As before, once the survey is posted and individuals sign up, the county will email all eligible persons, notifying them of available appointments.
Persons must bring an ID or other document that reliably conveys eligibility to your appointment. Any work ID/badge, paystub, or other document that reliably conveys your eligibility will be appropriate.
For questions on eligibility, or for individuals aged 65 or older who cannot sign up using the survey, please email the department at Vaccine@JeffersonCounty.gov. More information is available at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine.
Fort HealthCare also is taking the names of persons wishing to be vaccinated.
They should visit FortHealthCare.com/VaccineSignUp to complete the COVID-19 interest form for being placed on a waiting list. Eligible patients age 65 and older will receive an invitation to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
Priority scheduling will be given to current Fort HealthCare primary care patients, although availability is open to the public. To expedite access to the vaccine, it is recommended that current primary care patients sign up for a MyCompass account through self-enrollment that is located on the Fort HealthCare website.
Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Health Department reminds the public that the Wisconsin National Guard is continuing to provide COVID-19 testing twice a week at the Jefferson County Parks Department shop, located at 1555 S. Industrial Drive, Jefferson.
Note the location change from the county’s Fair Park, where it was in the past.
Testing takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 26 and March 5, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 27 and March 6.
Anyone age 5 and older is welcome and one need not have exhibited any symptoms to participate.
Persons should sign up at Register.covidconnect.wi.gov. Those not registered will be assisted by the National Guard upon arrival.
For more information, visit Jeffersoncountywi.gov/Test4Covid.
In addition, community testing is taking place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Community Engagement Center, 1260 W. Main St., Whitewater.
Persons who want to receive a rapid-results test that is available in about 15 minutes should register at doineedacovid19test.com or call 1-800-635-8611. Those who test positive through the rapid-results test will be urged to get a confirmatory PCR test.
Individuals do not have to be experiencing symptoms or be a close contact of someone with COVID-19 to get a test, nor do they need to live in the community where the testing site is located.
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