MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For the first time in nearly five months, Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new coronavirus cases is below 1,000.
The state Department of Health Services reported 681 new cases on Tuesday, or 16.3% of the 4,168 total tests done. The seven-day average of new cases fell to 970, the first time is has been below 1,000 since Sept. 11.
Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer of the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases, said the recent drop in infections was not likely a result of vaccinations alone, as only about 1 in 10 Wisconsinites has received a dose. Instead, he said the drop was likely due to people taking precautions such as wearing face masks and restricting gatherings. Westergaard also said local contact tracing capabilities have increased since the November peak, potentially allowing more infected people to be isolated sooner.
However, a confirmed second case of a more contagious coronavirus variant was announced in Wisconsin Tuesday. Health officials are concerned vaccines may not be as effective against this strain, which was first documented late last year in England. Westergaard also warned that natural immunity from a pervious infection may not provide protection against some of the new variants may have emerged.
While new cases are down, health officials are still concerned about the numbers.
“It is lower than it has been, but it is still far too high,” said Julie Willems Van Dijk, DHS deputy secretary.
Underscoring that point was Tuesday’s report of 39 deaths connected to COVID-19, higher than the seven-day average of 22.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 551,050 confirmed cases, more than 2.5 million negative tests and 6,094 deaths.
As Wisconsin continues its vaccination efforts, the state’s allocation from the federal government reached 1.15 million. More than 793,000 doses have been administered, with 174,215 people having completed their two-dose course of vaccinations. More than 35% of people ages 65 and older in Wisconsin have received at least one dose.
