UW-W Students Are Returning; What's the Status of COVID-19 in Whitewater?

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

A primary measure of the spread of COVID-19 in a community is the positivity rate, which is generally calculated as the percentage of people with positive results out of all of the test results that have been reported in the past 7 or 14 days. The Whitewater Unified School District Board has indicated that, based on advice from the Jefferson County epidemiologist, in order for fulltime in-person classes to resume, the blended positivity rate for Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties should be less than 8% and continue on a downward trajectory for 14 days. Some school districts have used a target of 5%.

As of August 22, the 14-day positivity rate for the Walworth County portion of the city is 12.5%. It is not possible to calculate the rate for the Jefferson County portion, as that is part of a census tract that includes Palmyra. During the past two weeks the rate has fluctuated from 9.45-12.5%.
During the past fourteen days, the results of 216 tests were reported, of which 27 were positive.
Walworth County’s 14-day positivity rate is currently 11.6%. Up until recent days the county’s rate has consistently been lower than the city’s.
Out of those testing positive in Walworth County, 11.4% reported having no symptoms. These people are particularly concerning, as they may unknowingly transmit the virus.
There is a hopeful sign: the city’s positivity rate has significantly declined in the past 7 days. In this period 103 tests were reported, with only 6 positive results, representing a 5.8% positivity rate. Some readers might speculate that there could be a degree of correlation with the governor’s order requiring the use of facial coverings beginning August 1.

Particularly with the return of thousands of students from many parts of the state and country, including some areas which may have greater rates of infection than ours, continued compliance with infection control precautions is essential. Whenever possible avoid spending significant amounts of time, especially indoors, with people outside your household, and remember your mask.