Health officials offer Thanksgiving Covid tips

NOW: Health officials offer Thanksgiving Covid tips

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As we approach Thanksgiving, Milwaukee health officials are sharing some tips to keep Covid away from your gathering as cases are on the rise again.

"Our trends have been quite poor," said Dr. Ben Weston, chief health policy advisor, Milwaukee County. "When it comes to Covid we are not even close to out of the woods, we are deep in the woods."

Wisconsin is currently the sixth worst state in the country for Covid-19 cases based on population, according to the CDC.

The seven-day average in Wisconsin remains high at 3,148 positive cases based on state health data.

As you prepare to invite guests over for Thanksgiving, Weston said vaccinations are key to a safe holiday gathering.

While it's unfortunately too late to get the shot in time before turkey day, health experts say the best way to reduce your risk of exposure or infection is to require those who come to your event to be vaccinated.

Health officials also suggested testing your guests the morning of the event, regardless of vaccination status, to ensure everyone is protected.

"Each of these layers adds up to a safer event on Thanksgiving. It can be a wonderful celebration around family, but you don't want it to be the reason that someone gets sick or hospitalized," said Weston.

If you do have unvaccinated individuals or those with underlying health conditions at your Thanksgiving gathering, Weston recommends wearing masks and social distancing when possible.

Another tip is changing the number of people at your celebrations, which health officials say can mitigate some risk of exposure.

Keeping windows open and doors cracked during your holiday gathering is another tool health officials suggest as a way to reduce the spread of the virus.

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