Health Director Reports Covid Numbers Trending Downward at LCO

By Joe Morey

News Editor

As of last week, LCO Health Center Director, Gary Girard, reported there were 18 active cases at Lac Courte Oreilles. On January 11, Girard reported that number had dropped to 7 active cases in a week. He said the numbers are trending downward. Right at the end of the year, the LCO active cases was at 30.

Girard said that although we are seeing a significant reduction in cases, he urges the LCO Community to continue following the CDC guidelines of wearing masks and social distancing.

Girard said that they are currently in the first phase of vaccinations to essential workers, and soon, elders over 75, but, “I believe by the end of June, everyone who wants a vaccine will have been vaccinated.”

Girard said in addition to medical and emergency personnel, essential workers are included in this first phase of vaccinations. They include tribal workers who are going into people’s homes, working on the floor dealing with people and essential staff, such as accounting personnel, who need to work to keep tribal services moving.

“Once the essential workers are vaccinated, then we’ll move on to our most at-risk members who include elders over 75,” Girard explained.

Girard said we may soon see a downturn to the virus because of immunities built up from persons having had the virus and because of the increasing number of vaccinations given.

Girard said he believes that by March, we should see a significant downturn to the virus because of immunities built up from persons having had the virus and because of the increasing number of vaccinations given.

The total deaths in Sawyer County is at 17 persons, of which, four are from the LCO Community.