Wisconsin COVID situation isn't like the South. But 2,200 cases means more work to be done

While Wisconsin hasn't had COVID spikes anywhere near what we're seeing in the Southern half of the US, we're also seeing cases grow. After weekly cases bottomed below 500 at the end of June, we ended up with more than 2,200 new cases over the last week, more than double the amount reported in the previous week.

Certainly time to at least raise your awareness, as this thing needs to be leveled off sooner than later. And while I'm as thrilled as anyone about the Bucks winning their first title in 50 years and the unity and excitement shown in the streets, I can't think the new COVID cases in the state will decline after scenes like this in a City where many neighborhoods have vaccination rates well below 50%.

This is insane! Deer District showed out! pic.twitter.com/kF6Xupq9Bm

— Justin Wills (@itsjwills) July 21, 2021

On a positive note, we have not seen deaths rise in Wisconsin, staying at rates of around 1 a day for the last 6 weeks.

That being said, we know from experience that the trend in deaths lag the trend in cases by about 4 weeks. So we need to wait until early August to see if vaccinations are truly limiting the seriousness of infections, and the amount of hospitalizations or deaths. I think it will, but too early to tell for now.

On the vaccination front, we are still far below where we were this Winter and Spring. But I will note that vaccinations have increased in each of the last two weeks, and perhaps the news of increased cases in Wisconsin will spark more people into finally getting the vax.

We also are seeing a couple of vaccine milestones hit in the state. Dane County just became the first one in Wisconsin to have 70% of its population receive at least one shot, and within a couple of days, the 3 millionth Wisconsinite will have received the vaccine. These are good signs, and I hope other counties work to reach the strong levels of vaccinations that we see in the Madison area before school starts in 6 weeks.

But there's still work to be done, and with cases rising in Wisconsin, the need to stamp down COVID with vaccinations and smart behavior is needed more than ever. It'll be Fall before you know it, and we can't forget how things got out of hand last year when we didn't have the vax.