Courtesy of the Lincoln County Health Department

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) on Friday, Jan. 29 provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in the county, including statistics and information on testing and the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The number of positive COVID-19 cases (has) dropped since December, but Lincoln County remains at a very high level of COVID-19 disease activity,” LCHD stated.

According to LCHD, between Dec. 28, 2020 and Jan. 25, 2021, Lincoln County saw 13 new hospitalizations, with a total of 107 individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19. 28.6% of COVID-19 tests came back positive, resulting in 355 new cases. An additional 12 COVID-19 deaths were reported, bringing the county’s total to 54.

Between those same dates, 44 new probable COVID-19 cases were reported in Lincoln County, bringing the total number of probable cases in the county to 185. One probable COVID-19-associated death was reported, bringing the total number of probable deaths to 15.

“A person is counted as a probable case or death of COVID-19 if they are not positive (confirmed) by a confirmatory laboratory test method (ex: PCR or NAT test), but have either tested positive using an antigen testing method, have symptoms of COVID-19 *and* known exposure to COVID-19, or COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 is listed on the death certificate,” LCHD explained.

LCHD encouraged those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to stay home and get tested. LCHD and the Wisconsin National Guard will provide free drive-through COVID-19 testing every Wednesday through March 10, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Merrill Festival Grounds, with the entrance on Memorial Drive. No appointments are necessary; however pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Register at www.register.covidconnect.wi.gov.

“COVID-19 vaccines are being given to healthcare personnel, long-term care facilities, first responders, and those 65 and older at this time,” LCHD stated. “Updates on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at our website www.lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com, (by) calling our vaccine message line at 715-539-1375, or by emailing us at COVID@co.lincoln.wi.us. To keep our community safe, even once you have had COVID-19 or have been vaccinated, it is important to continue to wear your mask, practice physical distancing, wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick. As always, LCHD is doing all we can to mitigate the spread, but our work with contact tracing and disease investigation is not as effective unless we all work together and do our part when we can. LCHD will keep you up-to-date as we learn more.”