Today, the state health department reported 688 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 34 new deaths, since our broadcast yesterday.
Over the past year, we all have been forced to adapt to new science, and CDC recommendations. With more vaccines getting into arms, and the weather permitting more outdoor gathering, there are, once again, new guidelines.
That includes the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Today, health officials in Dane and other Wisconsin counties began distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at their vaccination sites–again. Last week, the CDC lifted the recommended pause of the vaccine. That pause came after concerns over rare blood-clots, that were reported in 15 women out of more than 8 million vaccinations in the US. The single-shot will now come with a warning for women under the age of 50.
Also new in Covid news, the CDC has relaxed mask recommendations. Notably, fully-vaccinated individuals don’t need to wear masks outdoors unless in large groups. Unvaccinated people can also safely do outdoor activities, like walking, biking, and hiking without a mask. However, the CDC still recommends unvaccinated folks wear masks in small gatherings outdoors with other unvaccinated people.
New state-wide information is now available about breakthrough infections–when fully-vaccinated people still get Covid-19. Since January, 605 Wisconsin residents who were fully immunized got infected. That is among the more that 80 thousand COVID-19 cases during same time, reports the Wisconsin State Journal. Statistically, that works out to .03 percent, higher than the national estimate of .008 percent.
Over 40% of Wisconsin residents have received one vaccine shot. Last week, Public Health Madison Dane County reported that just over 20% of Black Dane County residents have been immunized, that’s compared to half of the county’s white population. 32% of Latinx residents and 39% of Asian residents in Dane County have received at least one shot. The health department announced projects to address this disparity. They include providing mobile clinics with bilingual staff at different communal spaces and engaging in education in the form of community conversations, town halls, and educational materials.
The vaccination center at Alliant Energy Center is no longer requiring appointments to get vaccinated, although they do recommend making an appointment. Bike up, walk up or drive up Tuesday through Saturday. For more, head to publichealthmdc.com
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
