In the last year and a half, 6,850 Wisconsinites have died because of COVID-19. 248 of those deaths are people from the Northwoods. “For the nurses who
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Oneida County Health Department Director Linda Conlon is proud of the vaccination effort in the county.
Nearly 45% of residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine which is above the state average of 37%.
“We’re pretty happy about that,” said Conlon.
She also impressed with the 65 and older age group getting nearly 83% vaccinated.
“We have exceeded our expectations. All of us that our vaccinating the health department, our health care providers, and pharmacies I think have done a great job outreaching and getting our 65+ population vaccinated. Now we’re setting our focus on our younger population,” said Conlon.
Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Gov. Evers statewide mask mandate, face coverings are still required at many stores, like Aldi, Pick 'n
Other counties in the U.P. are doing well too.
About 20 percent of people in Iron County have received the vaccine and more than 15 percent of Gogebic County residents have been vaccinated.
Jessica Bessner, the Aspirus Regional Director of Pharmacy for the Upper Peninsula, said over half of community members in the 65 and older age group have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
But because of issues with fluctuating supply, Aspirus still has a full docket of vaccine appointments.
“We are still working through our final lists of 65 plus patients and we’re trying to make sure those people get their appointments in,” Bessner said.
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At Northland Pines School District, employees have either already gotten a COVID-19 vaccine or they’ll be able to get one before the weekend.
“We’re hoping to have everyone in our district done this week,” the district administrator, Scott Foster, said. “That’s our goal. Anyone who wanted one should have an opportunity by the end of the day Friday to get them.”
It hasn’t been two weeks since Wisconsin teachers and childcare workers became eligible for the vaccine on March 1, but the Northland Pines School District didn’t want to wait to get its employees vaccinated.
So they partnered with Hometown pharmacies in Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain and Eagle River.