Hometown Broadcasting News Tuesday 1/11/22
11 January 2022 News
Hospitals Deal With COVID Surge
Fox Valley Hospital leaders are making a plea to the public to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus. Representatives of ThedaCare, Aurora and Ascension health systems and the Winnebago County Health Department held a news conference Monday providing an update on the hospital situation. They report that hospitals have been operating at or near capacity during the current surge of cases caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Frank Mellon of ThedaCare says while hospitals are expecting people not to need care as long, the number of people infected will put pressure on the health care system. He estimates as much as 50 percent of a community’s population could become infected. Another official says the number of patients is putting a strain on hospitals. Officials urged residents to get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks and socially distance. They also recommend those who feel ill should remain home if the symptoms aren’t severe.
WHA Urges Public Not To Seek COVID Testing At Hospital Emergency Rooms
The Wisconsin Hospital Association is joining hospitals across the state in urging members of the public not to seek COVID-19 tests at hospital emergency rooms. Emergency rooms throughout the state are under extreme stress due to surging COVID-19 cases as well as regular, seasonal increases in demand for medical services. Patients seeking COVID-19 tests at hospitals not only delay the provision of urgent care in emergency rooms, but also raise the risk of virus spread among medically vulnerable patients. The WHA asks that Wisconsinites get the COVID-19 tests they require through the following means. Contact your doctor to ask if your primary care clinic provides testing. Seek testing from a free community testing site near you. Request a free at home collection kit from DHS.
Ripon College Updates COVID Policies
Ripon College has updated its COVID-19 policies as it prepares to welcome back students for classes that start next Tuesday, January 18th. All students in residence, as well as faculty and staff who plan to work on campus, will be required to have a PCR COVID test, administered on campus, before being allowed to begin the spring semester. Mandatory COVID testing for all students already on campus and for all faculty and staff will be administered at the Willmore Center today from 9 am to 4 pm and on January 17th and 18th from 9 am to 4 pm for students and staff unable to attend today’s testing. As test results for campus wide testing events are waited for, the semester will begin with a “limited mixing phase,” which will last from January 16th to January 20th. During that time, the only in-person events will be classes and in-season athletic practices or contests. Masking will continue to be required indoors, and it is strongly encouraged N-95 or KN-95 masks are worn because they are more effective. More about the Ripon College COVID-19 policies is available on the Ripon College website.
Ripon announces updated COVID-19 policies for spring semester | Ripon College
COVID Exhausting Our Health Care Workers
Going on nearly two years the COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for hospitalizations, deaths and exhausted health care workers. Jeff Puhlmann-Becker of the Ripon Community COVID-19 Task Force says health care workers have worked long hours caring for those with the coronavirus often putting themselves at risk while losing time with their own families. He says the current spike with cases of the Omicron variant is filling hospitals with patients while those hospitals deal with staffing issues because of exhausted health care workers. He says everyone is tired of COVID-19 the vaccine and booster shots that are required, wearing face masks, social distancing and other restrictions. But he says that is what it will take to turn the tide on the epidemic.
Columbia County Drugged Driving Arrest
A 46-year-old Brooklyn, Wisconsin man is facing his fifth operating a motor vehicle with a restricted controlled substance and a number of drug possession charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 39/90/94 near the Poynette exit in Columbia County Sunday morning. A Sheriff’s deputy pulled over Andrew Knox for displaying unauthorized registration plates and observed signs of impairment arresting Knox. A Sheriff’s K-9 was used to search the vehicle for drugs. The search yielded items of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, LSD, marijuana and prescription drugs not prescribed to Knox. He was taken to the Columbia County Jail.
Safe Haven Law
One of the bills Governor Evers signed into law last month gets the word out about Wisconsin’s Safe Haven Law. State Senator Joan Ballweg worked on that bill. She says couples can give up a newborn baby within 72 hours of its birth at a hospital, law enforcement agency or fire station no questions asked. Ballweg says they wanted to make sure children were taught about that option in schools’ human health and growth initiatives. The state lawmaker from Markesan says in one tragic Wisconsin case involving a young couple involved in an unintended pregnancy the father of the baby told the mother he was taking it to a place where it could be adopted. Instead he took the infant out in the woods and shot it. Ballweg says they want to make sure young parents know there are options that allow the baby to be given up so it also has the opportunity for future happiness.
Increasing Income Limits For Those On Social Security
Congressman Glen Grothman would like to get legislation passed which would allow those on Social Security to earn more income before it jeopardizes their benefits or leads to penalties. He points out currently if you make more than $18,000 a year in income you could lose your Social Security benefits. He would like to see the income limit raised to $26,000 or $28,000 a year. The federal lawmaker from Glenbeulah says the country is facing a labor shortage and senior citizens who want to work should be able to do so without risking the Social Security benefits they’ve already earned. He’s hoping to introduce the legislation soon.
Child Care Survey Sent Out To Employers
Envision Greater Fond du Lac along with four surrounding counties-Calumet, Dodge, Outagamie and Winnebago-partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Center for Customized Research and Services to identify the child care needs of area employees. All industries are being surveyed. Preliminary work connected with the survey found the major inhibitor for workforce able to return to employment is finding child care providers. In some areas, providers are only operating at 50 percent capacity because of the lack of child care workers, while other areas have a deficiency of facilities. Data collection for the survey has begun and will continue through this month. Each county will bring creative solutions to its respective residents.
Radon Test Kits Available
January is National Radon Action Month. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and the leading cause among non-smokers. Radon is a gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock and may collect in your home. Testing your home is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. During the month of January, the short-term radon kits are available for $5 at the Fond du Lac County Health Department in Fond du Lac Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Kits may also be available at your local city or town clerk’s office. Short term radon test kits are available year-round for $10. For more information about radon, visit www.lowradon.org or contact the Fond du Lac County Health Department at (920) 929-3085.
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