In the third forum of its kind since the COVID-19 pandemic started, WXPR is spotlighting the virus outbreak in our area and its impacts on human health, our economy and tourism, and our educational system. Listen to the panel here:
Our panelists include:
- Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Andrea Newby, Executive Director, Gogebic Range Health Foundation
- Cindy Burzinski, Director, Vilas County Tourism and Publicity
- Theresa Smith, Executive Director, Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce
- Teri Maney, Three Lakes School District Administrator
Like in many parts of the country, Wisconsin has seen a notable rise in COVID-19-positive cases in the last few weeks. On Tuesday, Wisconsin set a new record with 964 new positive cases reported. As of Wednesday, the state has recorded 827 deaths.
The levels in multiple Northwoods counties have been on the rise, too. For example, as of Wednesday, the Oneida County Health Department had reported 43 confirmed cases; that’s up from 25 just a week before. Forest County is at 49 cases, with many connected to the outbreak at the Bay at Nu Roc senior living center in Laona. That number includes three deaths.
Vilas County is at 17 cases, Lincoln County 23, Iron County, Wisconsin at 20, Langlade County 11, and Price County nine.
In the western U.P., Dickinson County stood at 21 cases, Gogebic County had 15, Iron County, Michigan at eight, and Ontonagon County at one. There have been four deaths between the counties.
You can also listen to WXPR’s March and May COVID-19 forums.
