Just half of all South Milwaukeeans have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. That’s not enough, by a lot. We are lagging the state and other suburbs as new cases continue to mount.
There were 33 new confirmed cases in South Milwaukee this week alone, after 44 last week. In the last four weeks, we have had 124. And since the start of the pandemic, more than 2,500 residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
This is taking a toll on young people as well.
Across the county last week, 463 COVID cases were reported among those 18 and under, and 490 the week prior. Thirty-seven kids were hospitalized last week in the county, 24 the week before.
Locally, the South Milwaukee School District reported today seven students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school began less than two weeks ago, with another 108 absent due to close contact or with symptoms. Another five staff members are isolating or quarantining due to positive tests, symptoms, or contact.
You can get plenty more data — including updated vaccination figures — in the city’s weekly Situational Briefing, in the charts below, and from the school district, Milwaukee County and State of Wisconsin dashboards.
But this is about more than data. While it must inform our decisions (and is), This is about personal responsibility — doing what it takes to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent unneccessary illness and death.
We are 18 months into this, and too many people are still getting sick.
That has to change, and that starts with getting vaccinated. Thousands have chosen not to in South Milwaukee, and those choices are bringing with them consequences, sometimes tragic.
We must do better. Get vaccinated, South Milwaukee. Learn more here.
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