Flattening Curve? Rock County COVID-19 data shows slowing spread

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Rock County’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 appear to be working working.

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services show the rate of positive coronavirus tests in the county decreasing.

During the week of April 6, Rock County saw 23 positive tests results out of a minimum of 253 total tests conducted, a nine percent rate.

Over the last five days, the county has had 10 new COVID-19 cases out of 171 tests, just a 5.9 percent positive rate.

Rock County Epidemiologist Nick Zupan said it is encouraging to see the number of new positive cases decreasing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve hit the peak.

Access to testing is increasing, but local health providers still are only testing a small percentage of the population, so it’s difficult to measure the full extent of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Zupan said the county will know the curve is flattening when they see no new cases of COVID-19 for several days or when more people are recovering from the illness than there are new cases.

Health officials continue to urge social distancing practices even as the numbers improve. They’re fearful of a resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks if the community does not stay vigilant with the safer-at-home order.