COVID-19 update: Kewaunee County back on 'critically high' list as positives per 100,000 rises

Kewaunee County once again was given a "critically high" rating from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for its level of COVID-19 activity as the number of positive tests for the virus continues to steadily grow there and in Door County over the past two weeks.

The state listed Kewaunee County with a "critically high" activity level from Sept. 28 to Oct. 26, then lowered its rating to "very high," which the county was rated since. The ratings, which cover a two-week period, are based on the number of positive cases per 100,000 people in the county in that period, also known as the "burden," and the rate of change in the number of positive cases during that time, known as the "trajectory."

For the most recent rating period, Kewaunee County's burden increased from 906 two weeks ago to 1,075.4, although its trajectory fell from the "growing" category to "no significant change," meaning between 10% growth and 10% decrease.

Door County saw its burden level out, from 670 cases per 100,000 people two weeks ago to 666.6, and its trajectory continued with no significant change, keeping it with a "very high" rating from the DHS.

The number of counties in Wisconsin rated "critically high" fell from 30 two weeks ago to 19. Neighboring Brown County continues with a "critically high" rating while Manitowoc County was one of the counties upgraded to "very high." 52 other counties are rated "very high," with Menominee County the sole one with a "high" rating.

The number of positive tests for the virus over the two weeks from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 in the two counties grew at about the same pace they did in the two preceding weeks. Kewaunee County reported 125 new cases in that span, compared to 121 from Nov. 15 to 29, while Door County saw 143 new cases compared to 138 in the two weeks before. Now with a total of 4,210 cases since the pandemic began, one in every 4.9 Kewaunee County residents has tested positive at some point.

But more tests for the virus were conducted in that time in each county — 454 in Kewaunee County and 595 in Door County, compared to 296 and 414 respectively in the two preceding weeks — which saw the rate of positive tests correspondingly drop, from 40.8% to 27.5% in Kewaunee County and 33.3% to 24% in Door County.

Meanwhile, DHS data shows the number of vaccinations grew dramatically in the two counties in the past two weeks. 379 first doses of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines were given to Kewaunee County residents and 273 completed their cycles between Nov. 30 and Dec. 13, whether the second dose or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. That's after 135 received first doses and 188 completed their cycles the two weeks before, with the two weeks before that seeing 44 first doses and 21 completed vaccinations.

Door County residents received 507 first doses from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13, compared to 341 the previous two weeks, and 285 completed their process, compared to 208 the two weeks before. That compares to 16 completed cycles and 40 first doses administered between Nov. 1 and 15.

In Door County, 76% of all residents have received one shot and 71.4% have completed the vaccination cycle, continuing to rank second to Dane County (79.7% and 75.1%, respectively) in the percentage of residents that have been vaccinated in Wisconsin. In Kewaunee County, 48.8% of all residents received one shot and 47.3% completed their cycles.

Appointments are required for COVID-19 vaccines given by the Kewaunee County Public Health Department, which gives the shots Tuesdays and Fridays for ages 5 and older at its office. The department also is open to giving vaccinations on location at local businesses, work sites or farms. For appointments or more information, call 920-388-7160.

For appointments or more information on vaccine clinics offered throughout Door County by the Door County Public Health Department, call 920-746-7180 or visit bookdcph.timetap.com or co.door.wi.gov and click on the "COVID-19 Vaccine and Updates" bar at the top of the homepage.

MORE: Study confirms lack of adequate broadband internet service in Door County, looks to next steps

FOR MORE KEWAUNEE COUNTY NEWS: Check out our homepage

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our homepage

Statistics as of Dec. 13 (provided by the county and state health departments) are as follows:

Positive tests since Nov. 30 (includes probable cases):

Kewaunee County, 125, 40 in past week
Door County, 143, 38 in past week

Negative tests since Nov. 30:

Kewaunee, 204
Door, 331

Percentage of positive tests since Nov. 30 (positivity rate):

Kewaunee, 27.5%, down from 40.8%
Door, 24%, down from 33.3%

Total positive tests:

Kewaunee, 4,210, one in every 4.9 residents
Door: 4,394, one in every 6.8 residents

Total negative tests:

Kewaunee, 12,336
Door: 19,257

Cumulative positivity rate since testing began:

Kewaunee, 25.4%
Door, 18.6%

Weekly positive tests per 100,000 residents:

Kewaunee, 1,075.4
Door, 666.6

Deaths from COVID-19 complications:

Kewaunee, 43, none in past four weeks
Door, 38, none in past two weeks

Active cases:

Kewaunee, 72; was 108 as of Nov. 30
Door, 439; was 314 as of Nov. 30

Total vaccines given:

Kewaunee (including other providers besides health department), 10,333 (50.7%) received at least one dose, 9,932 (48.7%) completed their cycles
Door (including other providers besides health department), 21,203 (76%) received at least one dose, second-highest percentage in state (Dane 79.7%), 19,913 (71.4%) both doses, second-most in state (Dane 75.1%)
Wisconsin, 3,565,378 (61.1%) at least one dose, 3,349,490 (57.4%) completed their cycles

Vaccine doses given in last two weeks: