Covid-19 results reach ‘critical’ level in Fredonia

The Fredonia area’s Covid-19 “burden” breached the critical stage this week, the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department website shows, raising the specter of heightened restrictions on schools and public activities.

According to the website, the Fredonia area on Tuesday reached a burden of 389.2 cases per 100,000 population over the previous two weeks, putting it at a “critical” level.

An average of 350 cases is the point at which a region is considered critical. Fredonia crossed over into that territory on Sunday, Sept. 6, with a mark of 368.7.

The Fredonia area has flirted with that designation three times before at 348.2, most recently on Sept. 5. 

Under those conditions, the department recommends schools go to 100% remote learning but concedes that “decisions about learning models should not be based solely on this data.” Reaching a critical stage would threaten the Northern Ozaukee School District’s plan to conduct in-person schooling five days a week.

Three school-age children living in the Northern Ozaukee district have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the health department website, which does not identify which school the children attend, whether they are homeschooled or their age.

School Supt. Dave Karrels said Wednesday no district students have tested positive.

Health department officials have blamed the rise in cases on group activities but have not pointed to any specific events.