COVID-19 cases rise in Shawano County

There has been a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Shawano County.

As of Monday, Nov. 22, according to the Department of Health Services, over the last week, Shawano County was averaging more than 25 new coronavirus cases per day, and Menominee County has averaged three cases per day, according to a press release from the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.

Shawano and Menominee Counties Health Director/Officer Terri Harmala said the recent increase in COVID cases is not out of the ordinary.

“Even though the peak was higher last year, there were upticks two to three weeks after each holiday,” Harmala said. “We are still less than last year, but it is still upticking after holidays.”

Harmala said there could be more cases coming after Thanksgiving celebrations.

“It is hard, because we are all so sick of this,” said Harmala. “We cannot deny that it still exists.”

She added that with a surge in COVID-19 cases, area hospitals are doing the best they can to accommodate everyone.

“As it says in the press release, their beds are filled,” said Harmala. “There are other conditions to consider as well that are at risk of not being able to be taken care of.”

Along with the influx of people using the facilities, Harmala said that staff in the hospitals are exhausted.

“They have doing this for almost two years now,” said Harmala.

Harmala recommends that people continue to follow guidelines set in place to help mitigate COVID-19 cases in the area — masking, hand-washing and social distancing.

“It is pretty much the same as last year,” said Harmala. “The rules have not changed of the virus, it is what it is … We have to be diligent with the stuff that works. I know that there is controversy with masking, but a barrier is a barrier.”

She noted that if people go to the DHS website, there are stats detailing how much more likely someone is to get the virus if they are vaccinated compared to being unvaccinated.

“People are still getting the virus, both vaccinated and unvaccinated,” said Harmala. “They have the math on the website. If you are not vaccinated, that greater majority of threat does simply exist.”

Harmala said that vaccinations are helpful in trying to mitigate COVID-19 cases, but she does not feel that they should be mandated.

“I do not feel that a mandate is a fair way to approach this,” said Harmala. “You and your health care provider should be the ones to make the determination. I think that you need to ask yourself, ‘What is my motivation?’”

She added that the health care providers in the area have been doing a great job talking with patients and helping them to decide to get the vaccine or not.

Harmala hopes that the amount of cases that are coming out is a peak and cases will start to decrease.

“The uptick in cases after holidays — I hope that is all this is,” said Harmala. “Hindsight will tell us if that is so or not.”

As Thanksgiving celebrations come to a close and Christmas celebrations start up, Harmala knows that families will be moving forward with holiday gatherings.

“I really do not see people not getting together,” said Harmala. “People should be respectful of where others are at compared to the last two years.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com