Dec. 18, 2020 5:55p
(WGTD)---The number of death certificates signed this year by the Kenosha County Medical Examiner's office may double the number from last year, according to a news release.
Through Thursday, 531 deaths were recorded by the office compared to 274 for all of last year.
COVID-19 deaths number 190.
Kenosha County Medical Examiner Patrice Hall is urging people to heed the warnings this holiday season to stay home and avoid gatherings. "I know that we are now many months into this pandemic, people are missing getting together with their family and friends, and many are tired of hearing the warnings about the virus," Hall said. "But this is truly a matter of life and death."
Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit said that while the number of new daily cases has dropped, deaths and hospitalizations remain high.
Kenosha County is continuing to search for a suitable indoor location with drive-through availability in order to continue hosting testing by the National Guard. The Guard has suspended further testing in the county until such a site is secured.
A testing option run by Modern Apothecary Pharmacy at the old Uptown fire station remains open, with portable heaters having been brought in to warm the tent.
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