BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Oconto, Outagamie, Calumet, and other counties are seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts Brown County in the substantial category for level of community transmission during the week of July 26th.
The CDC’s map linked HERE shows counties highlighted in red and orange are areas where indoor mask wearing is recommended.
“It does feel like a step backwards,” said Saint Norbert College director of health and wellness, Chrystal Woller.
Woller says the university’s quick response to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Brown County was an email to all students and staff that masks are required indoors whether you’re fully vaccinated or not.
“We have to adapt to what the transmission levels are,” said Woller.
St. Norbert will start the school year in-person. Woeller says masking indoors on campus isn’t permanent for the semester.
“Hard to say a timeline. But we will continue to monitor the situation by talking to the local health department on a weekly basis and then respond accordingly,” said Woller.
Prevea Health President and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai says like St. Norbert, it’s important for all people to flex with the COVID-19 environment.
He says the substantial risk Brown County and surrounding counties are in, is due to high community transmission.
“How many positives we have per 100,000 people on a seven-day average, and how many people are turning positive that are being tested versus everyone that is being tested,” said Rai.
Dr. Rai says to read the CDC and health department recommendations, for what they are.
“This doesn’t apply to outdoors; the recommendations aren’t saying to close down businesses. They are saying to add masking to indoor public events and environments,” said Rai.
Dr. Rai suggests, to of course get vaccinated, but to be patient as guidelines adjust to the ever-changing virus.
For more current CDC levels by county click HERE.
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