GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As the weather gets colder and more Wisconsinites move indoors, health systems are noticing an uptick in COVID cases.
“Also concerning is this is the time of year when hospitals already get busier. There are other diseases that put you in the hospital right now, from car accidents thanks to snowstorms. to heart attacks thanks to shoveling,” Prevea Health president and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai said.
Dr. Rai says the uptick in COVID cases is significant.
“When you look at our numbers on the decline and then the jump back up this early, it builds upon it. We never got to a really low level and we start to see more patients. So last November was some of the worst that we saw when it came to hospitalizations. We’re not at that point yet but we’re on that trajectory,” Rai said.
Bellin Health is also seeing an increase in cases and reminds Wisconsinites to continue taking recommended precautions.
“Thinking about the gatherings that we are at and again are we taking the precautions that we can to help prevent the spread of whether it’s flu or COVID, it’s really being aware of that within our environment,” Bellin Health chief nursing officer and senior vice president Laura Hieb said.
Health officials are also encouraging booster shots for those eligible.
Recent Wisconsin DHS data shows that in the month of October, not fully vaccinated Wisconsinites were 4 .9 times as likely to test positive for COVID-19, 10.8 times as likely to be hospitalized, and 15.2 times as likely to die compared to fully vaccinated people.
“We need to use every tool we have. So making smart decisions when it comes to distancing, especially amongst unvaccinated individuals. Getting unvaccinated individuals, including those 5 to 11 vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated more than six months out for Moderna and Pfizer, 2 months out for J&J making sure you get a booster shot,” Rai said.
Health officials also recommend additional COVID testing heading into the holidays.
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