Milwaukee County health leaders warn of 'perfect storm' of COVID spread

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Describing a perfect storm of factors, Milwaukee City and County health leaders urged people to act now to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

Enough cases have been identified to put the county back in its red zone for a significant two week increase.

The highest number of cases in in people aged 25 to 59. And the health experts believe that's a result of kids from elementary to college going back to school, getting infected, and bringing the virus back to their parents.

Add in cooler weather, more people spending time indoors, as well as complacency toward the virus, and health officials said that's why the virus is skyrocketing across Wisconsin and pushing cases locally near their July peak.

"It is the adults of kids who are in university, colleges, and elementary and secondary schools that are having the most cases," said Greenfield Health Director Darren Rausch.

Deaths have remained stable so far in Milwaukee County, but that's the last data point that will start to move.

The number of people hospitalized locally has increased 57 percent and health officials worry the death count will start to climb faster again.