Second COVID-19 death in La Crosse County; metrics page updated

A second death in La Crosse County due to COVID-19.

The health department says it’s a man in his 70s, who had been hospitalized. No other information was released. The first death in La Crosse came on July 17, and was also a man in his 70s, who had been hospitalized.

The news comes as the department also updated its collaborative website for the second time since launching. State data shows the county added six new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1,208.

The biggest change comes on the metrics page, where case rate has gone from yellow to orange. The cases per 100,000 jumped from 9.8 last week to 16.8 this week.

The hospitalization rate (2.36) and care capacity, remain in green.

On the community indicators page, three new metrics are now in yellow — there were two last week.

Identified contacts traced is at 82.7 percent (goal is 90%). Contacts reached within 1-2 days is at 70.9% (goal 75%). And positive test ratio is the last metric in yellow at 11.4% (goal <10%).

The two metrics in yellow last week were testing turnaround and positive test ratio.

Community guidance page states:
— Wear a mask when in public (outside your household).
— Keep a 6-foot distance from others outside your household.
— Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
— Avoid unnecessary travel to places with higher case rates than La Crosse County. This is especially important for families with school-aged children at this time.
— Limit personal social gatherings to up to 50 indoors and up to 100 outdoors (with masks and physical distancing).
— Minimize mass gatherings in businesses, public buildings, and spaces up to 50% of capacity (with masks and physical distancing) OR max numbers consistent with social gatherings (see #6 above).