The past week has seen in Wisconsin a probable leveling off of new COVID cases and a possible start of a leveling off of hospitalizations. There was still an increase in daily deaths in Wisconsin (this measure usually lags the other measures by weeks). The number of new cases remains very elevated, double the national average. Numbers are taken from websites for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Hospital Association, and The New York Times.
There are now a number of states, including Illinois and Iowa, with a leveling or small decrease in new cases in the past week. The testing system remains haphazard and inadequate, making it hard to be confident in these changes. Wisconsin's 7 day average of new cases has increased over the past 2 weeks from 5506 to 6043, a 10% increase. This involved an increase in the first week, followed by a decrease in the second week. There has been an decrease in new cases in the Fox Valley and North Central region, while the Northeast region is unchanged. Wisconsin's number of tests performed per day has shown a decrease over the past week. The 7 day average of percent positive tests by person is now 29.7%, a decrease from a week ago. The 7 day average of percent positive tests by total tests is now 13.8%, also a decrease from a week ago. Note that an influx of low risk holiday travelers seeking testing could distort these numbers. Wisconsin hospitalizations for COVID have increased over the past two weeks, 1860 inpatients on 11/8 and 1988 on 11/22, a 7% increase. Like cases,this was an increase in the first week and a decrease the second week. An increase has been seen in the Northeast region, while the Fox Valley is level and North Central has decreased. 428 of the state hospitalized patients are in the ICU, a slight decrease from last week. The 7 day average of daily deaths due to COVID has increased in the past week from 46 per day to 53. For comparison with other states and countries, the new case number is converted to cases per million. Comparing 7 day average number of new cases in the past week: Wisconsin: 1038 Minnesota: 1221 Iowa: 1173 Illinois: 926 New York State: 247 California: 301 Canada: 108 France: 329 United States: 517 The case rate in a number of these states and countries has decreased in the past week, but the US, California, and Minnesota have risen significantly. When adjusted for population, Wisconsin still has about the sixth highest number (rate) of new COVID cases in the past week among the fifty states. Wisconsin also has about the fifth highest rate of COVID deaths in the past week among the fifty states. Since early July, the daily numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have all increased about ten fold in Wisconsin. |
Advising the Bishop on response.
ResourcesAnswers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Engagement with faith disciplines and worship.
For those providing pastoral care.
Christian faith formation resources, online & multi-media.
|
General
CDC, WHO, & Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Cleaning a building or facility to diminish risk of transmission.
Resources from across the Church to inform and support.