New cases highest among those 50-59
By Robert Cloud
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Waupaca County rose by 14 over the Independence Day weekend.
Waupaca County Public Health reported eight new cases on Saturday, July 4.
Six new cases were reported on Friday, July 3, and three new cases on Sunday, July 5.
Waupaca County reported five new cases on Monday, July 6, and 12 cases on Tuesday and Wednesday combined.
The pandemic has caused the deaths of 10 people in Waupaca County.
The county’s daily update now includes age demographics of those who have tested positive.
“Age demographics provide some insight into the distribution of cases,” said Public Health Officer Jed Wohlt. “We are not seeing as many confirmed cases with the 0-19 age groups, which is consistent with what we see nationally as well. We may start seeing some different trends in this demographic due to behaviors and environments associated with the different age groups.”
Twenty-three county residents between the ages of 50-59 have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to demographic data provided by Waupaca County Public Health.
That age group has the highest number of cases in the county.
Those between the ages of 40-49 represent the second highest number of cases at 16.
It is a little difficult to say why those age groups currently represent the most cases,” Wohlt said. “Right now we are seeing a wide variety of circumstances and environments – for example, employment and restaurant settings – for how people are reporting potential exposures.”
While middle age county residents show the most, those who are dying from the disease tend to be much older.
“The age range in the fatalities that we have had is between 50-95. The majority of fatalities have been those in their 80s and 90s,” Wohlt said.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported a record high of 733 new COVID-19 cases in a single day on July 4.
While the number of new deaths statewide has recently dropped, the number of new cases rose over the past week.
The total number of cases in Wisconsin is up from 28,659 on May 30 to 33,154 on July 8.
Statewide, 3,683 people have been hospitalized and 807 people have died during the pandemic.
Unlike Waupaca County, Wisconsin’s data shows that those between the ages of 20-29 have the most COVID-19 cases at 8,046.
Noting the ongoing rise in the number of cases, Wohlt said, “We have had a fairly steady daily amount of new cases for the past few weeks. We would certainly like to see that slow down.”