County residents being vaccinated as virus slows

More than 1,800 Trempealeau County residents received at least the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations for the second straight week as the number of new cases remains low.

  With 1,817 county residents vaccinated last week, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the total number to be vaccinated in the county is 8,773 — or 29.6 percent. Of those, 5,333 have completed the series of vaccinations. Health officials have indicated that once more than 70 percent of residents are vaccinated, restrictions — including mask requirements — may be eliminated. 

Nearly 90 percent of county residents who are at least 65 years old have received one dose of the vaccination and almost 61 percent have completed the series.  

A large percentage of the state and county’s population became eligible for the vaccine on Monday as the DHS announced individuals age 16 and older with certain medical conditions that have a greater risk of severe infections are now eligible.  

Among others, the medical conditions include asthma, cancer, obesity, Down syndrome, heart conditions, liver disease, pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

To ensure that individuals at higher risk can receive vaccine as soon as possible, the Trempealeau County Health Department will prioritize within eligible groups by focusing on:

• Individuals aged 50-64 with one or more high-risk conditions

• Individuals with two or more high-risk conditions

• Individuals from high-risk sociodemographic groups (e.g. Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous, or other people of color)

All eligible and next eligible groups who live or work in Trempealeau County can fill out the online Vaccine Interest and Screening Form (https://hipaa.jotform.com/210336562588157). Those who do not have internet access, can ask a family member or friend to help you fill it out or leave a message at 715-538-2311 ext. 220.

As more residents are vaccinated, the number of new cases has remained steady. The DHS reported just 12 new COVID-19 cases in Trempealeau County last week, one more than the previous week, but still the second lowest since last May. Of those who were tested, just 9.3 had positive results, the lowest percentage since May.

The Osseo and Eleva areas both had three new cases last week, Arcadia had two and none of the other areas in the county had more than one.