COVID fading faster than Winter in these parts

As the calendar turns to March, we're seeing COVID rapidly recede in Wisconsin. Yes, we've been here before (see March 2021), but it's still great to see new daily cases down at levels that we haven't seen since last Summer.

And the decline has been widespread throughout the state, with only 6 Wisconsin counties being above the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' "very high" threshold of 3.5 cases per 1,000 residents over the course of 2 weeks.

COVID-related hospitalizations in Wisconsin are also at their lowest levels since August, and while the state reached the sad milestone of 12,000 COVID deaths this week, we're also seeing that rate decline rapidly from Winter's peak in December.

You can see why communities are rapidly removing their mask mandates with the very positive trends, although it's taking a bit of getting used to in not having to mask up at work and other places (and I still do in crowded spots). But with warmer weather and outdoor activities becoming more common, it does feel a lot more hopeful on the COVID front than it did a month ago.