COVID-19 cases rise in Wisconsin as new variant spreads

From the Article:

COVID-19 cases are growing in Northeast Wisconsin, but the numbers aren’t significantly higher than a year ago.

A new variant, called JN.1, is spreading. According to a doctor we spoke with at Bellin Health, there’s a small change in part of the virus that’s causing more people who’ve already had COVID or were immunized to get this variant of the virus.

As of right now, the number of cases in our community is similar to this time last year.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, COVID hospitalizations in Northeast Wisconsin increased by 17% between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6. Specifically in the Fox Valley, hospitalizations grew 13% during that time period.

Overall, COVID symptoms are still fairly mild for people who’ve been vaccinated, according to doctors. People with a compromised immune system, underlying health conditions, and older adults still face significant risk.

If you think you have COVID, doctors urge you not to go to an emergency room to get tested unless you’re very ill and need to be evaluated by a provider.

“We just opened a fast lane clinic by [Austin Straubel] airport -- that’s new -- where people can get a test that’s ordered by their doctor or their nurse practitioner and get that test through the drive-through. So there’s easier ways than going to the emergency room and waiting a long time. We really want to make sure we’re protecting our emergency departments in this community when people truly need it,” Bellin Health Dr. Brad Burmeister said.