CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – The Chippewa County Department of Public Health held their regularly scheduled COVID-19 update on Wednesday. A recap is available below.

CHIPPEWA COUNTY COVID-19 STATISTICS:

11,157 negative test results

311 positive results (increase of 27 since August 19th)

31 active cases

280 released from isolation

1 hospitalization

132 cases have been over the age of 40, 179 below

0 deaths

513 tests from August 16th to 22nd (down from 624 the previous week)

The risk level remains high for Chippewa County, with gatherings limited to 15 or less indoors and 50 or less outdoors.

They are currently working with all schools as it is not a “one size fits all” situation for recommendations. The state released specific guidance for schools. The two schools in session (Stanley-Boyd and Cornell) have not had any issues.

There has been a second horse in the county to test positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. For humans, you must be bitten by a mosquito to catch the disease. Symptoms usually come 4-10 days after a bite. It is rare in humans, but those under-15 or over-50 would be the most at risk. A vaccine is available for horses.

School Update:

Cornell and Stanley-Boyd openings are going well. Teachers at all schools developing flexible plans for lessons.

Agriculture Update:

Less contact is occurring right now since we are in the middle of the growing season. We will start to see more contact with the harvest season starting. Milk prices are varying with the uncertainty of schools and other re-openings. Corn and livestock has leveled off. There will be more traffic in apple orchards. Had a safe seasone with blueberry, raspberry and strawberry picking.

Questions:

Disappointed that testing was down this week?

-Yes, working with healthcare providers to make sure those who have symptoms can be tested. Not a lot of asymptomatic testing going on.

Is there a chance they could test more at schools?

-They don’t have the capacity for testing all the students in the districts for the county.

Why can the Stanley prison be tested but not schools?

-Congregate settings set up testing early on in the pandemic. School testing could happen in the future.

Any of the new cases tied with school openings?

-They anticipate that most schools will have some students that will miss the start due to quarantining or isolating.

Is there any plan for more mass testing sites?

-Yes, they are planning one and it will likely be in a rural community.

Are they concerned with the start of prep sports in Chippewa County?

-Yes, as there has been outbreaks with adult sports in the summer. Most athletic directors taking the approach that if students are going to school, sports can proceed, but if they are sent back home, sports will stop.

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