The current flare-up in coronavirus cases in Rock County and elsewhere is largely due to the prevalence of the virusâs delta variant. According to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, delta cases in the state on Aug. 3 reached 373, which amounted to an increase of 150% over the previous week.
One of the reasons for the spike in overall COVID-19 numbers is the low rate at which people are getting vaccinated. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported that from Jan. 1 to July 22, 98% of COVID-19 cases were among those who were unvaccinated.
While the vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing someone from contracting the virus, so-called breakthrough cases are extremely rare. Nick Zupan, epidemiologist for the Rock County Health Department, said only 100 vaccinated local residents contracted COVID-19 since the vaccine was rolled out.