Submitted by the Monroe County Health Department
Monroe County continues to be rated in the high-risk level of community transmission for COVID-19, according to the CDC Covid-19 Data Tracker.
The CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recommend that all individuals age 2 and older in areas of substantial or high transmission, regardless of vaccination status, continue to wear a mask when in indoor public spaces and at indoor gatherings. The CDC and Wisconsin DHS also recommend universal indoor masking for all K-12 teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
The high case count is likely due to the Delta variant, which has become the predominant strain across Wisconsin. The Delta variant is more than twice as infectious as the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing it to spread more rapidly and cause more infections. During the week of Sept. 14–21, Monroe County saw 154 new Covid-19 cases and six new hospital admissions.
You can do your part to protect yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19 by following these simple steps:
• Get vaccinated, if you are able. Covid-19 vaccines are a safe and effective tool to help reduce the severity of illness and risk of hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19. The Monroe County Health Department is offering free Covid-19 vaccines at the office location, 315 W. Oak St., Sparta. Visit https://vaccinate.wi.gov to schedule an appointment online, or call us at (608) 269-8666. Walk-in appointments are available during business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).
• Wear a mask when in public indoor spaces and crowded outdoor gatherings.
• Maintain at least a 6 foot distance from others.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Stay home if you feel sick.
• Get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in close contact with someone with Covid-19. To find out where you can get tested locally, go to https://healthymonroecowi.org/covid-19/.
Layered levels of protection continue to be recommended to help slow the rate of transmission.
For additional local-level Covid-19 data, visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/local.htm or https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
