WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Officials with Aspirus Health in Wausau say they are starting to see some promising changes in the metrics surrounding COVID-19
“We’re cautiously optimistic about the omicron variant and what we’re seeing compared to delta,” said Jeff Wicklander, Aspirus Senior Vice President and President of Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “Yes, we have a lot of patients that are coming to be tested [and] in our emergency departments and even some are hospitalized, however the level of ICU acuity is less.”
Wicklander says their labs are also starting to see fewer positive tests for COVID-19, and the majority of those who test positive for the Omicron variant are seeing mild symptoms such as cough, slight fever, and runny nose.
Test results within the Aspirus system are now coming in at around 36% after peaking last week at nearly 40%. Wicklander adds that they have 139 patients hospitalized system-wide with the disease and fewer patients in intensive care.
Doctors and health officials continue to encourage vaccination against the disease, especially for those who are more than six months removed from their initial vaccine series.
“We’ve known from the very beginning that vaccinations provide the safest environment for each and every community member, for our patients and for our staff,” Wicklander said. “We also recommend those who are vaccinated greater than six months to get a booster. It’s very effective against omicron.”
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