The Manitowoc County Health Department continues to see COVID 19 cases increase in Rural areas.
Emergency Services Director Travis Waack tells SeehaferNews.com, “During the earlier phases of the pandemic we had seen many new cases in Manitowoc and Two Rivers but what we’ve noticed the last few weeks is a shift of new cases into rural areas where Kiel-Reedsville and Cleveland are seeing more cases than ever before.”
In fact, 64% of new cases have been outside of Manitowoc and Two Rivers, a sharp increase from 24 percent in July and 46 percent in August.
“There’s certainly mass gatherings in rural areas,” Waack explained. “I think sometimes people feel because their in a less densely populated area there’s less of a risk. Wearing-or a lack thereof-of face coverings has also contributed to the spike.”
Statistics also reveal that since Governor Evers instituted a statewide mask mandate August 1st, new cases have risen from a daily average of 5.7 to 8.5, an increase of 50 percent. Waack says It’s difficult to compare because “What are you comparing it against? The numbers now or we could have had had we not had the increase in face coverings? So-we feel face coverings have reduced our numbers from what they could have been.”
County Health officials are not recommending any mass gatherings be held to decrease the spread. Waack encourages all citizens to continue practicing safety protocols implemented since the start of the pandemic in March. Wear face coverings-sanitize and wash hands frequently and social distance a minimum of six feet.
