“This continues to be a very dangerous virus especially for people who have not been vaccinated.”
Those words are from Manitowoc County Health Officer Stephanie Lambert who informs us that as of yesterday (Wednesday) 10,208 infections have been confirmed from SARS-COV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19. Lambert goes on to say that the number of cases has increased rapidly over the last few months with 652 cases reported in September compared to only 31 in June.
She adds one of every four confirmed infections this month have occurred in children under eighteen accounting for three percent of all hospitalizations. The County’s top health official says the latest rise in infection can be linked to the Delta Variant which is more than twice as infectious as the original strain and is now the dominant strain in Wisconsin by far.
Recent data from the Department of Health Services shows that non-vaccinated people in Wisconsin are nine times more likely to be hospitalized and eleven times more likely to die from a COVID-19 infection. Data also confirms that many are suffering long-term consequential problems following infection. Lambert says Manitowoc County remains at a “very high” burden rate for COVID-19 and recommends that everyone-regardless of vaccination status-wear masks in public indoor spaces adding the best way to protect everyone is to get vaccinated.
Call The Manitowoc County Health Department at 683-4155 or visit vaccines.gov to find a local vaccine provider.
