Tomahawk Leader Newspaper

Top Menu

  • eBooks
    • Tomahawk Leader
    • Tomahawk Leader Extra
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Message Board
    • Forum
    • Log In

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Nature
  • News
    • Government
    • Sports
  • Covid 19
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • School
  • Tomahawk Fishing Report
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • eBooks
    • Tomahawk Leader
    • Tomahawk Leader Extra
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Message Board
    • Forum
    • Log In

logo

Tomahawk Leader Newspaper

  • Home
  • Nature
  • News
    • Government
    • Sports
  • Covid 19
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • School
  • Tomahawk Fishing Report
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
Covid 19News
Home›Covid 19›Aspirus ‘cautiously optimistic’ about recent COVID-19 data

Aspirus ‘cautiously optimistic’ about recent COVID-19 data

By Jalen Maki
January 28, 2022
730
0
Share:

For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – Aspirus Health said on Thursday, Jan. 27 that it is “cautiously optimistic” about recent COVID-19 data, adding that “top government health officials” have also expressed optimism.

“Data from around the country and the southern part of Wisconsin point to encouraging news about the omicron variant wave,” Aspirus stated in a release.

Citing The New York Times’ coronavirus map and The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Aspirus said hospitalizations and positivity numbers are trending downward in Wisconsin.

“However, indicators within the Aspirus system are not yet as encouraging,” Aspirus stated.

“We’re cautiously optimistic about the omicron variant and what we’re seeing compared to delta,” said Jeff Wicklander, Aspirus Senior Vice President and President of Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “Yes, we have a lot of patients that are coming to be tested (and) in our emergency departments, and even some are hospitalized. However, the level of ICU acuity is less.”

Wicklander. Photo courtesy of Aspirus.

Aspirus said there were 139 patients hospitalized across the Aspirus system as of Thursday, Jan. 27. 86 were unvaccinated.

“That number is on par with the highest level of COVID-19 patients in the Aspirus system throughout the pandemic,” Aspirus stated.

According to the release, 30 COVID-19 patients within the Aspirus system required ICU-level care as of Thursday, Jan. 27, down from the January peak of 43 two weeks prior.

Five patients were on a BiPap machine, a type of ventilator. Aspirus noted that earlier in January, it was “common to have more than 20 patients requiring BiPap assistance.”

The Aspirus Reference Lab reported a 3% decrease in COVID-19 positivity rates among tests processed between Jan. 16 and Jan. 22 compared to the previous week that produced a pandemic-high positivity rate of 39.3%, according to the release.

“These numbers have been good indicators for future hospitalizations throughout the pandemic,” Aspirus stated.

“Typically, when we have a big increase in our community positivity rates, for the next two weeks we’ll see an increase in hospitalizations,” Wicklander said. “However, we’re really not seeing that with omicron.”

Aspirus said its southernmost hospital, Aspirus Divine Savior in Portage, is “experiencing a steep decrease in average length of stay for COVID-19 patients.”

“We’ve seen a lot of the surge come up from the south up to the north, and as an example with Divine Savior, their ICU length of stay has gone from about eight-and-a-half days down to three days,” Wicklander said.

Southern parts of the state, such as Dane County, have higher vaccination rates compared to most northern parts of the state, Aspirus noted.

“We’ve known from the very beginning that vaccinations provide the safest environment for each and every community member, for our patients and for our staff,” Wicklander stated. “We also recommend those who are vaccinated greater than six months to get a booster. It’s very effective against omicron.”

COVID-19 vaccinations are available through Aspirus Health and numerous pharmacies in local communities. Boosters or initial vaccination series can be scheduled through Aspirus using the MyAspirus online patient portal or mobile app. Appointments are also available by calling the Aspirus COVID-19 Call Center at 844-568-0701 or 715-843-1454. The Call Center has been experiencing high call volumes, so community members are encouraged to use MyAspirus for convenience.

TagsAspirus HealthCoronavirusCOVID-19
Previous Article

Chef Andy: Delicious Ways to Stretch Your Dollar

Next Article

Lincoln County D.A.: No charges to be ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Merrill Police Department
    FeatureNews

    Merrill Police Department Facebook post about testing meth for coronavirus goes viral, receives national media attention

    February 28, 2020
    By Jalen Maki
  • Tomahawk School District
    FeatureNewsSchool

    Tomahawk School District issues letter to parents regarding coronavirus

    March 5, 2020
    By Jalen Maki
  • Never Forgotten Honor Flight
    FeatureNews

    Never Forgotten Honor Flight scheduled for April 20 postponed due to coronavirus

    March 12, 2020
    By Jalen Maki
  • Oneida County Law Enforcement Center
    News

    Rhinelander Severe Weather Spotter Training class cancelled

    March 13, 2020
    By Jalen Maki
  • FeatureSports

    WIAA cancels boys, girls state basketball tournaments

    March 13, 2020
    By jbuelow
  • Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce Sign
    FeatureNews

    Chamber’s Taste of Tomahawk at Inshalla postponed to Saturday, May 16

    March 13, 2020
    By Jalen Maki

  • Released Stock
    FeatureNews

    Convicted sex offender David J. Malsch residing in Merrill as of July 13

  • Highway 86
    FeatureNews

    Highway 86 road closure set to begin today (Tuesday)

  • Police Lights Stock
    FeatureGovernmentNews

    Town of Tomahawk Supervisor cited for disorderly conduct after threat during meeting

TOMAHAWK WEATHER

© 1998- Tomahawk Leader, Inc., Tomahawk WI
315 W Wisconsin Ave – P.O. Box 408
Waupaca, WI, 54981 – Phone: (715) 453-2151

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×