GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — COVID-19 numbers continue to drop in Wisconsin. Health officials say at least some of that drop has to do with the vaccine. Head of Bellin Hospitals COVID-19 instant command medical branch, Robert Mead.
“About 5% have vaccinated by the full vaccine. So 13% have had one vaccine which does provide protection. So, if you add that up you’re looking at 15-23% of the state has some immunity to the virus,” Mead said.
Mead says that’s when you take into account that many people have already had the virus.
The seven-day average of new cases fell to stats we saw before last fall’s surge.
Mead joins Winnebago County Health Officer Doug Gieryn in crediting the concept of herd immunity.
“We also know that we have probably close to a third of the population that’s now been infected, so there’s some immunity that’s already in place,” Gieryn said.
Gieryn adds it may be too early to chalk up the vaccine for the slow down in new cases.
So just how close is Wisconsin to getting out of the pandemic?
“Unfortunately, we’re not really close yet. We have months to go before we have enough people vaccinated to have a truly meaningful impact,” Gieryn said.
Maybe not close, but both leaders say it’s a step in the right direction.
