The Winnebago County Health Department reported four new coronavirus deaths Monday. This brings the total up to 296 area casualties. Public Health Administrator Sandra Martell also reported new cases in the area.
“We’re reporting 121 new cases," she said. "Our total case count is 20,043.”
Winnebago County is one of 50 counties in the state with the highest death rate from COVID-19. Current plans would prioritize the first round of vaccines to these counties. Local health departments are responsible for these initial allocations.
Martell said the first wave will go to frontline health care workers and hospital personnel who work in the county.
“We’re going to vaccinate you based on your role and responsibility. So we are not going to say “Oh, it’s only for Winnebago County residents. It is for the health system.”
Martell said the vaccine rollout would not be instantaneous and advised residents to be patient as healthcare systems prepare their supply lines and vaccines are distributed. The effort is likely to take months.