DRIFTLESS - Over the past week COVID-19 diagnoses statewide increased from 66,196 on Monday, August 17 to 70,854 on Monday, August 24. That is a statewide increase of 4,658 cases. The number of deaths increased from 1,039 to 1,081, an additional 42 deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The DHS’ Badger Bounce Back COVID-19 Case Indicators, which classify counties as high-, moderately high-, moderate- or low-risk based on COVID activity over the previous two weeks, listed Crawford, Grant, Iowa, LaCrosse, and Lafayette counties as ‘high’ risk; and Juneau, Monroe and Vernon counties as ‘moderately high risk,’ and Richland County as ‘moderate risk.’

According to a summary in Up North News, Monday’s report from the state Dept. of Health Services not only shows total daily testing below 10,000 for eight of the past nine days, it also shows a second consecutive day where fewer than 5,000 tests were processed.

There were 392 new cases of COVID-19 reported Monday, making up 8% of 4,865 total tests.

On Sunday, there were 453 new positive tests out of 4,814 total tests, a positivity rate of more than 9%. There have not been back-to-back days of fewer than 5,000 tests recorded since May 18-19. And there haven’t been back-to-back days of fewer than 500 new COVID-19 cases since June 22-23.

Across the state, officials have noted a downturn in available testing supplies, making it difficult to thoroughly trace any new local outbreaks. The lack of a coordinated national supply strategy has left states and other entities to compete with each other for needed material.

For Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, there were 1,795 new coronavirus cases and 13 deaths. The loss of life from the outbreak in Wisconsin is now 1,081.

The U.S. death toll reached 177,000 on Monday.

Crawford Countysaw seven new cases, increasing to 96. The number of negative tests increased by 2151, and there have been no deaths in the county.

The Crawford County Public Health Department has released the latest in their weekly business ‘COVID Spotlight.’

Culver’s in Prairie du Chien has changed many things during the pandemic to help slow the spread.  All employees have worn face covers and gloves, even before the state mandate. Their indoor dining area has been closed the entire time and the outdoor seating was made available with space between tables during the summer.  One-person states “Culvers has gone out of their way to make sure that the drive-through is working well and is safe.”  

The Public Health Department would like to congratulate Culvers and thank them for the time and effort they have put in to keep our community safe, while providing meals and treats for customers to enjoy!    

If you would like to nominate a business for our weekly spotlight, let us know the business name and how they are helping to slow the spread of COVID -19. You can nominate multiple ways: send a personal message to the health department through our Facebook page @CrawfordCountyPHD or call the office at 608-326-0229.

Vernon Countysaw an increase of 10 cases in the last week, increasing to 87. The number of negative tests increased by 482, and there have been no deaths.

Richland Countysaw an increase of three cases, increasing to 41. The number of deaths in the county remained at four.

Monroe Countysaw an increase of 14 cases in the last week, going from 250 to 264. Negative tests increased by 546, and the number of deaths in the county remains at two.

Juneau Countysaw an increase in cases of 25, growing to 184. The number of deaths in the county remains at two.

LaCrosse Countyhas continued to see an exponential increase in new cases in the last week of 61, going from 972 to 1,033. There has been one death in the county.

Grant Countyhas seen an increase of 21 cases in the last week, going from 402 to 423. The number of deaths in the county remained at 16.

Lafayette Countyhas seen an increase of 10 cases in the last week, going from 175 to 185. There have been no deaths in the county.