Health Officials Warn of Rising Flu and COVID Hospitalizations

Local health officials said a wave of cold, flu and COVID-19 cases in late December strained regional hospital capacity and is likely to affect Menominee County residents through the typical cold and flu season, which runs into April. Nick Mau, director of the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department, reported that ThedaCare Medical Center–Shawano was full and that some of the more serious patients were being transported to New London Hospital and other nearby facilities. “We had, I believe, 10 COVID hospitalizations within the last week and several for influenza,” Mau said on Dec. 30.

Health leaders also noted an uptick in influenza activity inside long-term care facilities, raising concerns for older adults and people with chronic illnesses who are at higher risk of severe outcomes. “We’re seeing influenza outbreaks in our long-term care facilities starting to creep up, as well. We’re definitely coming to a peak for cold and flu season,” Mau said, describing trends that county public-health teams will monitor in the coming weeks.

Officials urged residents who have not yet been vaccinated to get flu and COVID-19 shots now, noting that vaccination can still provide protection this season. Public-health guidance emphasized staying home when ill, drinking fluids and seeking medical attention for persistent fever or signs of dehydration. Mau encouraged conversations with primary-care providers about immunizations and treatment options, particularly for people with limited access to care or those who rely on caregivers.

In addition to human respiratory illnesses, Mau drew attention to a few cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza that were affecting the milk supply chain. State agencies were monitoring Wisconsin’s milk supply, and officials reported that nothing that tested positive had reached consumers. Backyard flock owners were advised to watch for signs of disease and to contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for guidance.

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, had not been a major factor in the season as of late December, but health officials cautioned it could still appear in coming months. For Menominee County residents, the convergence of multiple respiratory viruses as hospital beds tighten underscores longstanding equity concerns: rural communities often have fewer hospital resources, longer transport times and limited access to primary-care services. Local public-health outreach and vaccination access will be important to protect older adults, infants and people with chronic health conditions as the season progresses.