2 Wisconsin Counties Have Critically High COVID-19 Case Activity

WISCONSIN — Buffalo and Forest counties have critically high COVID-19 case burdens, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said.

Both counties have over 1,000 positive coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, according to state health services data released Wednesday.

This is the first time since January where case burden rates have gone over 1,000 per 100,000 people, state health services said. A critically high case burden means there are over 1,000 cases per 100,000 people in a county.

The Forest County Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 1,123 confirmed cases Friday. Some 9,179 residents live in Forest County, according to 2020 census data.

State health services reported that Buffalo County had 1,627 coronavirus cases Wednesday. Some 13,317 residents live in Buffalo County, according to 2020 census data.

Today's #COVID19_WI update shows 2 counties (Forest & Buffalo) at Critically High activity levels. It's the 1st time since January we've seen rates of > 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents. See activity where you are, and please take steps to #StopTheSpread: https://t.co/qZw0nSnWe6 pic.twitter.com/mzX2yyvstB
— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) September 15, 2021

There have been 687,101 positive cases in Wisconsin so far, health services data showed. The seven day average statewide was 1,864 cases since Tuesday.

Seventy-one Wisconsin counties had a high COVID-19 transmission ranking, according to federal data.

The Forest County Health Department said that vaccinations are the best way for people to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and the delta variant.

"Like other vaccines, vaccine breakthrough cases will occur, but the vaccines are working," the department said. "People who experience breakthrough cases are more likely to experience mild symptoms. The vaccine helps protect against the worst outcomes: hospitalization, severe infections and death."

The Mondovi School District in Buffalo County had to close its schools Tuesday and Wednesday over the burden of COVID-19 cases.

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