County is in the midst of COVID-19 resurgence
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
The Central Racine County Health Department reported this week that 49% of its residents, or 57,679 people, have finished the COVID-19 vaccination series, which is well short of its 70% objective to ensure herd immunity.
This leaves 51% of eligible residents unvaccinated, therefore, vulnerable for COVID-19 infection and at risk of transmitting the disease in the community.
The CRCHD further reported on Monday 52% of residents received at least one dose, a slight increase from a week earlier, when the rate was 51%.
The agency is the health department for all communities west of Interstate 94.
The Town of Dover ranks the lowest among 10 municipalities in percentage of residents vaccinated with at least one dose at a rate of 38%.
The Village of Yorkville (52%), Town of Waterford (48%) and City of Burlington (48%) are the three communities with the highest rates of residents who received at least one dose.
The villages of Waterford (46%), Raymond (45%), towns of Norway (44%) and Burlington (44%) and Village of Rochester (42%) round out the rest of the western Racine County municipalities.
This week, both local and state health records showed an increase in new COVID-19 cases within Racine County.
Compared to July 20, when the DHS confirmed 39 new cases since July 14, Racine County added 115 confirmed cases from July 21-27 and two more fatalities.
Racine County, as of Tuesday, has tallied 22,348 confirmed cases, 100,622 negative tests results and 372 deaths since the state began recording data on March 15, 2020.
According to the CRCHD, on Monday, 13% of cases in its jurisdiction came from children ages 0-9 as well as people 10-19.
State health officials strongly encourage Wisconsinites, especially children, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as the school year fast approaches.
The directive, according to a news release, includes children ages 12 and up as well as anyone planning to attend in-person classes at a college or university in the fall.
Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake, of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said the vaccine is vitally important to keep schools open as the Delta variant continues to cause a surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and nationally.
“It is important that we continue to vaccinate every-one who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines, especially as students, faculty and other staff make plans to return to school in the fall,” Timberlake said. “With the recent increase in new cases, and the very real threat of the Delta variant, vaccination remains our best tool for preventing further disruption in our schools and universities throughout the state.”
To read the full story, see the July 29 edition of the Burlington Standard Press or the July 30 editions of the Waterford Post and Westine Report.
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