MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — The Coronavirus numbers are down in Wisconsin.
The state reported fewer than 600 cases on Monday and on Tuesday, only 681 new cases were added, a far cry from the massive spikes seen in November. DHS Bureau of Infectious Diseases Doctor Ryan Westergaard says there are a few reasons why.
“I think having about 10 percent of the state immunized is having a prevention effect but probably not a large prevention effect,” said Westergaard. “I think people have gotten into a groove and are doing the right things in terms of restricting gatherings and wearing masks.”
The drop is in spite of officials detecting yet another case of the B.1.1.7 British variant strain in Waukesha County, but Westergaard says there is a real chance that variant, which is believed to spread more easily, could lead to another outbreak.
“Community spread… I think the likelihood is high,” said Westergaard. “If not from this particular case, then through the amount of interstate and international travel that is still happening.”
That variant strain was first reported Tuesday. State officials also reported 39 new deaths from COVID-19. The seven-day average of new cases fell to 970, the first time is has been below 1,000 since Sept. 11.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 551,050 confirmed cases, more than 2.5 million negative tests and 6,094 deaths.
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