A model of the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. U.S. health officials have stated that COVID-19 is expected to become a significant public health concern in the United States. (Illustration courtesy of Centers for Disease Control)

By Superior Telegram and Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten

December 28, 2020 at 1:31 PM

Residents and employees of long-term care facilities in Wisconsin started to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday, Dec. 28, according to a statement released by Gov. Tony Evers' office.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services partnered with Walgreens and CVS pharmacies to provide free, on-site vaccinations through the Pharmacy Partnership Program for Long-Term Care. The pharmacies will also provide complete vaccine management for the facilities including storage and handling, scheduling, administration and meeting reporting requirements, the statement said.

A total of 56,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine have been set aside for the program so far. DHS expects it to take approximately two months to inoculate residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities across the state, the statement said.

SEE MORE: News about coronavirus

“Protecting our most vulnerable Wisconsinites is a top priority and will be a critical step for the success of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program," Evers said.

Cases in Northwestern Wisconsin

A Rusk County resident died from complications related to COVID-19, DHS reported Monday.

The person's death brings the total in Rusk County since the pandemic began to 12. They were among 19 people whose deaths were reported statewide Monday, bringing the total statewide to 4,711. Overall, 1% of those who have contracted the virus have died.

A total of 30 Northwestern Wisconsin residents tested positive for COVID-19 Monday, DHS said. They were reported as follows: 13 in Douglas County; four in Ashland County; three each in Burnett and Sawyer counties; two each in Iron, Price and Rusk counties; and one in Bayfield County. No new cases were reported in Taylor or Washburn counties.

The new cases were among 1,335 reported Monday, bringing the state's overall tally to 472,153, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 1,934, a figure that has dropped since it reached a high of 6,563 cases on Nov. 18.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,336,531, an increase of 3,836 from the previous day.

An additional 82 people were hospitalized because of the virus Monday. Across the state, 1,088 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19, a figure that has been declining. The total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 239. DHS reported that 78% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Monday's report also showed that 93% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 6%, or 28,912 cases, are currently active.

Here's the breakdown in the 10-county region:

Ashland County

Active cases: 72
Deaths: 14
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 987
Total negative tests: 5,999

Bayfield County

Active cases: 49
Deaths: 18
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 913
Total negative tests: 5,781

Burnett County

Active cases: 62
Deaths: 19
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 978
Total negative tests: 5,283

Douglas County

Active cases: 407
Deaths: 16
Probable deaths: 13
Total cases: 3,025
Total negative tests: 15,734

Iron County

Active cases: 22
Deaths: 15
Probable deaths: 14
Total cases: 415
Total negative tests: 2,223

Price County

Active cases: 26
Deaths: 5
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 921
Total negative tests: 4,761

Rusk County

Active cases: 49
Deaths: 12
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,091
Total negative tests: 4,255

Sawyer County

Active cases: 72
Deaths: 10
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,184
Total negative tests: 7,109

Taylor County

Active cases: 99
Deaths: 14
Probable deaths: 5
Total cases: 1,575
Total negative tests: 5,037

Washburn County

Active cases: 52
Deaths: 11
Probable deaths: 2
Total cases: 1,000
Total negative tests: 5,408

Visit the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard or Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 page for updates.

This story was updated at 2:39 p.m. Dec. 28 with information about COVID-19 vaccinations beginning in nursing homes. It was originally posted at 2:31 p.m. Dec. 28.