The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) most recent weekly Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows that COVID-19 activity is continuing to increase, sending more people to emergency rooms, especially among people aged 65 and older. The state’s Wastewater Monitoring Program, which tests samples of wastewater across the state has shown significant increases in COVID-19 activity statewide. Fortunately, treatments for COVID-19 are widely available, and the state’s free telehealth service has been extended through April to connect Wisconsinite to care from the comfort of their own homes. “If you are at high risk of getting really sick from COVID-19, it’s important to consider treatment as soon as possible,” said DHS Chief Medical Officer for the Bureau of Communicable Diseases and State Epidemiologist Dr. Ryan Westergaard. “COVID-19 antiviral treatments must be taken within five days of symptoms starting, and telehealth can help get people started on oral antivirals sooner within the five-day window after symptom onset, which will help save lives.”
