Health officials see rising number of new cases
By Robert Cloud
Waupaca County reported another COVID-19 death on Monday, June 22.
The county’s sixth death occurred over the weekend, according to Waupaca County Health Officer Jed Wohlt.
“To date, four males and two females have died in Waupaca County from complications related to COVID-19,” Wohlt said. “Individuals that have died have ranged in age from 50-95 years old. Five of the total six deaths have resided in long-term care.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, there are currently five active facility-wide investigations in Waupaca County.
Of those investigations, all but one involve a long-term care facility.
Statewide, 5% of the COVID-19 cases involve residents of long-term care facilities.
Ann Kinght, director of marketing and admissions coordinator at Bethany, posted a COVID-19 video update on Bethany’s Facebook page Wednesday, June 24.
“To date, we have had 18 residents test positive for COVID-19,” Knight said. “We did lose five of them to this terrible virus. Five of them have been resolved. So, they are doing well. We are currently monitoring eight very closely and praying for them daily, All of them are doing relatively well.”
She said Bethany also has three staff at home in isolation.
In the past month, the number of positive COVID-19 test results rose from 20 on May 22 to 96 on June 23.
On June 11, when Waupaca County rescinded its public health order, there were 66 cases.
“The rise in cases is likely a combination of things including relaxed restrictions, increased testing and factors related to behaviors,” Wohlt said.
To date, a total of 4,626 tests have been conducted in Waupaca County.
Statewide, 25,331 COVID-19 total cases were reported as of June 23.
Of Wisconsin’s cases, 745 have resulted in death, about 3% of the total number of cases.
In Waupaca County, 6% of the cases have resulted in death, according to state Health Services.
Of the 96 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Waupaca County, 50 of them have recovered.
The Waupaca County Post asked Wohlt about the severity of the other 46 cases.
“Some cases are very serious, we have had individuals hospitalized and we obviously have had deaths related to COVID-19,” Wohlt said. “At this time we are aware of one case that is hospitalized and we are not aware of any cases in the ICU.”
Waupaca County is one of 19 Wisconsin counties that the state now rates “high” for COVID-19 activity level.