New COVID-19 case rate remains low

As more county residents are being vaccinated, fewer COVID-19 cases are being reported.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported just 11 new cases in Trempealeau County last week, the lowest total since last May. It marked the fourth straight week with fewer than 20 new cases and with positive test rates lower than 13 percent.

Of the 11 new cases reported last week, four were listed by the DHS in the Osseo area, two in Galesville and none of the other municipalities had more than one.

As the case rates have lowered since the end of January, the number of county residents to be vaccinated for the virus has continued to rise. A new record, 1,805 vaccinations were issued last week, breaking the previous record of 1,675 set two weeks ago.

That means 26.5 percent of the county’s residents have received at least one vaccine and 14.3 percent have received both doses. The DHS reported that 83.8 percent of the county’s population that is 65 years old or older have received at least one vaccination and 44 percent have completed the series.

According to county health department officials, the DHS has a goal of seeing 80 percent of Wisconsin residents vaccinated before loosening restrictions. Other public health experts advice 70 to 85 percent of the residents be vaccinated before eliminating face-covering requirements and other restrictions.