Clark County Health Department updates COVID data, vaccine information

The Clark County Health Department (CCHD) and their local partners currently have a COVID-19 online Data Dashboard that is available on the Clark County website: [www.clarkcounty.wi.gov/covid- 19]www.clarkcounty.wi.gov/covid-19. The CCHD will now be providing Clark County specific COVID-19 data updates on a weekly basis (Tuesdays).

In addition, the CCHD will no longer be providing an active confirmed COVID-19 cases municipality map. With the rise in individuals utilizing both rapid antigen tests and at-home testing, individuals who chose not to be tested for COVID-19, and the increase in COVID-19 cases, there is active COVID-19 widespread throughout the county.

On a monthly basis, the CCHD will now provide a COVID-19 data update for Clark County from the month prior (posted mid-way through the next month). This data update will include total cases, total hospitalizations, and total deaths for the month prior. It will also include a breakdown of cases by age range for the previous month. This new data update will also be available tomorrow.

There are numerous breakdowns of both county and statewide COVID-19 data available through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website COVID-19: Wisconsin Data Summary: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/ data.htm.

The CCHD has been co-hosting free COVID-19 testing sites through the National Guard in both Clark and Taylor County. After Jan. 8, the National Guard will not be providing free COVID-19 testing community sites throughout the state.

There are additional COVID-19 testing options available through healthcare facilities, pharmacies, etc. To find current COVID-19 testing options, please visit the Clark County COVID-19 Testing Information webpage: www.clarkcountywi.gov/ ph-covid-19-testing.

Omicron variant Wisconsin DHS recently sent out a press release announcing a public health advisory urging Wisconsin residents to take urgent action to prevent hospitalizations and deaths, in relation to the Omicron variant. The Omicron variant has been identified in Wisconsin, and is anticipated in the coming weeks to cause a rapid increase in disease activity. A rapid increase in disease activity will overwhelm health care systems that are already strained. This will affect all medical emergencies, not just COVID-19 medical emergencies, such as those seeking immediate life-saving attention for traumas, heart attacks, strokes, etc., when there is already a lack of hospital capacity. The full public health advisory is available at: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ news/releases/122021.htm.

COVID-19 vaccination COVID-19 vaccines continue to be extremely effective at preventing serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Wisconsin DHS provides monthly updates comparing age-adjusted COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among those who are fully vaccinated versus those who are not fully vaccinated. This data is available at: www.dhs.wisconsin. gov/covid-19/vaccine-status.htm. COVID- 19 vaccines are recommended for those aged 5 and older. It is now recommended for those who are aged 16 and older to additionally receive a COVID-19 booster dose.

The CCHD continues to provide free COVID-19 vaccines. The CCHD has the following vaccines available: Moderna (Ages 18+) -- Dose 1 -- Dose 2 -- Additional Dose -- Booster Dose Johnson & Johnson (Ages 18+) -- Dose 1 -- Additional Dose -- Booster Dose -Pfizer (Ages 5-11) -- Dose 1 -- Dose 2 The CCHD does not have the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 and older. To find COVID-19 vaccine clinics available both through the CCHD and other vaccines administration entities, please visit the Clark County COVID-19 Vaccine Information webpage at: www.clarkcountywi. gov/vaccine-information, or www.vaccines. gov. The CCHD also recommends additional COVID- 19 preventative measures, including masking and social distancing in public spaces, washing your hands, staying home when sick, and getting tested for COVID-19.