DRIFTLESS - Over the past week COVID-19, diagnoses statewide increased from 595,049 on Monday, Apr. 26 to 599,576 on Monday, May 3. That is a statewide increase of 4,527 cases. The number of deaths increased from 6,756 to 6,839, an additional 83 deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

Breaking news

Crawford County Public Health was notified late on Friday, April 30, that the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 (UK variant) had been iden-tified in a resident of Craw-ford County.  Variant B.1.1.7 is a variant of con-cern and was first discovered in England in November 2020, and first identified in Wisconsin in January of this year. Researchers be-lieve this new strain of COVID-19 spreads more rapidly and easily than the original COVID-19 strain of virus.

According to the Wis-consin Department of Health Services, all three authorized vaccines which include Janssen, Moderna, & Pfizer, effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19 for all the circulating variants.  All three of these vaccines can be accessed here in Crawford County.  The vac-cines are safe, free, and can save your life.  

“Now is the time to get vaccinated, so please get your vaccine now,” pleads Cindy Riniker, Health Of-ficer. “Getting vaccinated is the last and most important step in ending this COVID-19 Pandemic.  Getting vac-cinated will allow all of us to get our lives back to normal by helping our economy recover, business-es return, and our families and friends to gather to-gether again safely.”

Crawford County Public Health will be offering vac-cines by appointment only every Wednesday in their office located at 225 N. Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien.  Please call 608-326-0229 to make an appoint-ment or to receive assistance in finding the right vaccine for you and your family.

Vaccine distribution

As of Monday, May 3, the State of Wisconsin is nearing having 43.4 percent of the population vaccinated with at least one dose.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) six community-based vaccination clinics (LaCrosse County) are making it easier for you to get your COVID-19 vaccination. Just stop by during clinic hours Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. – no appointment needed. You can still schedule an appointment through the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry or call toll-free at 1-844-684-1064. Find a clinic near you using Vaccines.gov.

As of May 6, 41.7 percent (6,733) of Crawford County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 36.4 percent (5,868) residents have completed the vaccine series 

In Vernon County, 40.3 percent (12,415) have received at least one dose, and 34.2 percent (10,547) have received two doses.

In Richland County, 43.4 percent (7,480) have received at least one dose, and 36.4 percent (6,275) have received two doses.

In Grant County, 37.4 percent (19,245) have received at least one dose, and 31.5 percent (16,225) have received two doses.

On April 23, the pause on the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine was lifted. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19. The vaccine fact sheet for recipients and caregivers has been updated to include information about the risk of a very rare and severe type of blood clot.

The Crawford County Public Health Department is anticipating the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized by the FDA for children age 12 and older later this week.

COVID variants

In Wisconsin 40.2 percent of all positive COVID tests are for the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant, 10 percent for the California variants, 1.3 percent for the South Africa variant, and 3.1 percent for the Brazil variant.

In Minnesota, 68.3 percent of all new COVID cases are for the UK variant, 10.7 percent for the California variants, 0.6 percent for the South Africa variant, and 0.7 percent for the Brazil variant.

In Illinois, 43 percent of new tests are for the UK variant, 11.4 percent for the California variants, 14.3 percent for the Brazil variant, and 0.6 percent for the South Africa variant.

In Michigan, 69.9 percent of all new cases are for the UK variant, 4.1 percent for the California variants, 1.1 percent for the Brazil variant, and 0.3 percent for the South Africa variant.

Crawford Countysaw an increase in cases in the last week of two, increasing to 1,740. The number of deaths remained at 17.

Crawford County Public Health continues to offer COVID-19 testing for those with no healthcare provider, no or poor insurance coverage, or part of a disease investigation.  We offer this service on Monday mornings outside the administration building by appointment only.  Community testing sites using National Guard personnel are available in Vernon County twice monthly, Lancaster weekly, and Gays Mills will continue with a monthly clinic.

Vernon Countysaw an increase of 11 cases in the last week, increasing to 1,922. The number deaths remained at 45.

Vernon County will continue testing every other Tuesday at the Old County Highway Shop, 602 N. Main Street, in Viroqua on May 18.

Richland Countysaw an increase of six cases in the last week, increasing to 1,302. Deaths remained at 15.

Monroe Countysaw an increase of 47 cases in the last week, increasing to 4,516. The number of deaths remained at 37.

LaCrosse Countysaw an increase in new cases of 85, increasing to 12,712. The number of deaths increased by one to 81.