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October 22: Weekly Driftless Area COVID-19 update
COVID Halloween graphic

DRIFTLESS - Over the past week COVID-19, diagnoses statewide increased from 152192 on Monday, Oct. 12 to 173,891 on Monday, October19. That is a statewide increase of 21,699 cases. The number of deaths increased from 1,474 to 1,600, an additional 126 deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Crawford Countysaw 45 new cases, increasing to 296. There have been no deaths in the county.

Of the 131 people tested in Gays Mills on Monday, October 12, there were 19 positive test results. The positive cases included 13 Crawford County residents, and six from surrounding counties.

The Crawford County Public Health Department will be holding COVID-19 testing events twice a week beginning on September 14, 2020.  Testing will be Mondays, 11 a.m. – 12 noon and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. at the Crawford County Administration Building parking lot, 225 N. Beaumont Rd. Prairie du Chien, WI 53821. All tests must be scheduled in advance.  Call the Crawford County Public Health Department at 608-326-0229 to schedule an appointment.  There is no cost to participate.

Vernon Countysaw an increase of 49 cases in the last week, increasing to 420. The number deaths remains at two.

Richland Countysaw an increase of 67 cases, increasing to 370. The number of deaths in the county increased by one to six.

Sadly, Richland County Health Officer Rose Kohout confirmed the SIXTH COVID-related death of a Richland County resident on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Richland County offers our heartfelt sympathies to the family.  Out of respect for the individual’s confidentiality and the privacy of the resident’s family, no additional information will be provided.  

That same day, Richland County also saw their highest number of positive cases in one day at 26, with two additional hospitalizations.  

Monroe Countysaw an increase of 168 cases in the last week, going from 797 to 965. The number of deaths in the county increased by one to four.

Juneau Countysaw an increase in cases of 140, growing to 675. The number of deaths in the county remained at five.

On Monday, Oct. 19, Chairman of the Juneau County Board of Supervisors, Alan Peterson, made the following announcement:

The undersigned, County Board Chairperson Alan K. Peterson, hereby announces and declares that the meeting of the Juneau County Board of Supervisors scheduled  for Tuesday October 20, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. shall be and is postponed  until Tuesday November 3, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.  This emergency action is. required due to the COVID-19 pandemic, because one member of the County   Board has been stricken with the virus and is in quarantine, and numerous other members of the County  Board, who have been exposed to the possibility of contracting the disease, likewise arc required to be in quarantine. Therefore, an in-person meeting of the board is not possible and even a virtual meeting  of the board  would face many complications including possible problems with having a quorum. Under these emergency circumstances, it is necessary to suspend Section 2-66 of the Juneau County Code of Ordinances, otherwise requiring a meeting every month, and to direct that the next meeting shall be convened on November 3, 2020. 

 

LaCrosse Countyhas continued to see an exponential increase in new cases in the last week of 251, going from 3,566 to 3,817. The number of deaths increased by nine to 19.

La Crosse County Health director Jen Rombalski noted during a briefing recently that a majority of the county deaths are people in long-term care facilities.

 “There is a direct linkage between case increases and about two to four weeks later, seeing increased hospitalizations and deaths,” Rombalski said, as the department announced a restriction of public indoor gatherings to 25 percent.

Grant Countyhas seen an increase of 172 cases in the last week, going from 1,448 to 1,620. The number of deaths in the county increased by seven to 26.

Lafayette Countyhas seen an increase of 41 cases in the last week, increasing to 463. There has now been one death in the county.

Iowa Countyhas seen an increase of 70 cases in the last week, increasing to 370.

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Iowa County Health Department announced it is with great sadness that the Iowa County Health Department announces its first death of a county resident who tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was over the age of 65 years.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones during this time of sadness and great loss” said Debbie Siegenthaler, Director/Health Officer with the Health Department.