WHITEHALL, Wis. – Rural Trempealeau County, population only 28,000 has the sixth highest per capita COVID-19 case rate in Wisconsin, the state Health Department reported. Neighboring LaCrosse County, almost five times larger, is 34th. About half of Trempealeau County’s cases are due to people being in too close contact, said Kaila Baer of the county Health Department. In other words: Insufficient social distancing. Baer said contact tracing suggests a factor is large gatherings with family and friends and, also, going to bars and restaurants. People who engage in these high-risk activities are bringing the virus home to their families, she said. Speculation also has focused on two factories with fast-paced production lines, Ashley Furniture and Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing, in Arcadia, the county’s largest city.
Earlier:Trempealeau County has COVID-19 death
Earlier: Arcadia is COVID-19 hot spot