COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rise In WI, On Track For 2020 Peak

WISCONSIN — Wisocnsin COVID-19 hospitalizations in late November are matching numbers as high as they were in December 2020.

There were a total of 1,432 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Wisconsin as of Monday, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. The last time patient numbers were this high was in Dec. 16, 2020, when 1,410 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals statewide.

Hospitalizations peaked Nov. 17, 2020, when 2,277 people had to be hospitalized with the disease.

Hospitalizations dropped from 1,179 on Oct. 11 to 887 on Oct. 28, but rose to over 1,400 in late November, association data showed.

Statewide testing showed a similar dip and surge: There were a total of 3,180 positive COVID-19 tests in Wisconsin in Oct. 5, which dropped to 1,628 on Oct. 23, Wisconsin Department of Health Services data showed. There were 4,266 positive tests on Wednesday.

The vaccine, combined with other public health best practices, remains the best protection against COVID-19, state health services spokesperson Elizabeth Goodsitt told Patch.

"As the delta variant spreads and we begin to learn more about the omicron variant, getting vaccinated, getting your booster if eligible, and continuing good public health behavior is key," Goodsitt said. "We encourage anyone who is able to get vaccinated, to do so. And anyone who is eligible to get their booster shot."

There haven't been any omicron variant cases detected in the U.S. or Wisconsin, Goodsitt said. Federal officials said Monday that cases may eventually be found in the U.S., but said the travel restrictions introduced would slow the introduction of the new variant.