MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — COVID-19 numbers are ticking up again in Wisconsin.
However, Dr. Ryan Westergaard with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says this time, things are different.
“A big accomplishment is that we have a large quantity of COVID-19 antiviral drugs that can be taken orally that can prevent people from needing hospitalization,” Westergaard told reporters Tuesday.
That, in combination with widespread immunity, means things are promising.
“I think there’s reason for optimism that the risk for severe disease, on a large scale, is lower than it’s ever been,” said Westergaard.
Westergaard says it’s likely that more than 60% of Wisconsinites have some level of immunity against COVID-19–which would track with national numbers.
“Does the 60% antibody prevalence rate hold true for Wisconsin? It likely does,” Westergaard said. “Particularly during the omicron wave there were massive levels of infection, 60% may well underestimate it.”
The state Department of Health Services reported 1,183 new confirmed cases on Monday. The seven-day average increased to 1,168, its highest level since Feb. 19. That’s around ten times less than the highest point in the Omicron surge over the winter.
Three deaths were reported, with the seven-day average at two. Overall, Wisconsin has reported 1,411,287 cases and 12,880 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.
Comments