HEALTH TIPS

The infographics here provide the basics about staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. More...



SAFECATION



In Wisconsin worry free, recreational opportunities abound. Use this simple guide to stay safe while you have fun in our state. More...



   NEWS ALERT

The Wisconsin DHS To End COVID-19 Community Testing

The Wisconsin DHS Recommends Getting a Vaccine Even if You Currently Have COVID-19 

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Endorses Citizens to Getting a 2nd Booster

President Biden Announces The Launch of a New Informational Website For the American Public, Covid.gov

Governor Tony Evers and DHS on Tour of Wisconsin to Thank Healthcare Workers

CDC and Wisconsin DHS Issue COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Spring Break Travel

Governor Evers' "Get Kids Ahead" Program Provides $15 Million for Mental Health

Free COVID-19 testing in Walworth County January 25th

On January 3rd Wisconsin Surpassed The Sad Milestone of 1,000,000 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

Cold And Flu Season Is Here

(Infographic above showing the Delta variant spreading through the general population)

New Wisconsin Department of Health Services' Data Shows The Delta Variant More Contagious Than Previous Variants

August 16, 2021

In dire terms the DHS warned that as the Delta Variant increases its' spread across Wisconsin the probability for a much more lethal variant increases. The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to rise with the majority of individuals hospitalized being those that are unvaccinated. 

Individuals infected with the original strain of COVID-19 are likely to infect two other people who would likely infect two additional people. How contagious is the new strain of COVID-19? A person infected with the Delta variant is likely to infect 5 people who are likely to each infect an additional 5 individuals for a total of 30 contracting the virus from a single infection.

Newly Release Wisconsin DHS Data Shows Sharp Rise in COVID-19 Cases

July 29, 2021

The July 28th COVID-19 statistics reported by the Department of Health Services (DHS) shows that in the last two weeks daily case totals are up by more than 100%. According to DHS the majority of those people who have contracted COVID-19 were unvaccinated. State epidemiologist, Dr. Ryan Westergaard says "“the risk to people who are vaccinated, its much much lower. The effectiveness of the vaccine has continued to hold.”

Dr. Jeff Pothof, UW Health Chief Quality Officer is seeing an upward trend in new hospitalizations for COVID-19. “This delta variant amongst the unvaccinated is the real deal. It’s nothing to laugh about or shrug off,” said Pothof.

DHS continues to emphasize that the best way to stop the spread of the virus is getting the vaccine. The state reported 349 new confirmed cases Monday.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Mask Recommendation Updates

                                                                                                          July 29, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Covid Data Tracker indicates that several counties in Wisconsin are seeing substantial increases in the number of daily cases. Counties in our region seeing an uptick in cases include Dane, Rock and Dodge County. Counties designated by the CDC with "significant" or "high" should consider wearing masks

indoors for public or private gatherings even if fully vaccinated Milwaukee County has seen the largest increase of daily cases in Southern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued revised mask guidelines to reflect the latest CDC warning.

Wisconsin Department of Health Announces That COVID-19 Vaccines  Protect Against Delta Variant

                                                                                                          June 28, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently classified the Delta variant as a variant of concern. Fortunately, the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. have shown to still provide good protection against the Delta variant. For those receiving a two-dose vaccine like Moderna or Pfizer protection is significantly higher after both doses are given.

Wisconsin Department of Health Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Totals Updated

                                                                                                          June 22, 2021

According to the latest vaccine data released by the DHS 228,516 people have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. While 3.044,320 doses of Pfizer and 2,289,627 of Moderna were administered to Wisconsinites making grand total of vaccines now 5,562,607. Total number of vaccine doses administered represents all COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been given by Wisconsin vaccinator or are a historical dose and reported to the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). This includes doses administered through both the Federal Long-Term Care and Retail Pharmacy Programs, doses reported by Tribal health sites that receive vaccine from Indian Health Services (IHS), and some Veteran Affairs (VA) clinics. The total includes Wisconsin residents and non-residents who received a COVID-19 vaccine in the state. This tab also displays total administered doses according to vaccine manufacturer.

The Milwaukee Brewers Will Offer Two Free Tickets To Fans Who Get Vaccinated

5/19/2021

The Milwaukee Brewers and the City of Milwaukee Health Department are joining together to get people vaccinated. The baseball team and health department will host two vaccine clinics at American Family Field. The first will be on Wednesday, May 26, from 4:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m where all those fans that get vaccinated will receive two tickets to the San Diego Padres game that same night. The second vaccine clinic will be Thursday, May 27, from 9:10 a.m. until noon and two complimentary tickets to a second San Diego Padres Game. The American Family Field Clinic will be administering the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Rock County Health Officials Lift Mask Restrictions

5/13/2021

Residents in Rock County who have already received the vaccine are no longer required to wear a mask in the health department announced today. This change in mask policy reflects the newer guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC.) Katrina Harwood still urges residents to get vaccinated if they have not done so up to this point.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) To Expand Eligibility For Vaccine

3/29/2021

Individuals ages 16 and older will become eligible for the vaccine this Monday, April 5th..

This week Wisconsin will receive 342,000 doses from the federal government. Over 2.7 million Wisconsinites have received at least one dose. The state has used up 88% of its' vaccine allotment making it the highest per capita in the U.S.

Soon Wisconsinites 16 and older will be able to get vaccinated at:

• Vaccination clinics in your town
• Local health departments
• From their health car provider
• Pharmacies

According to DHS: the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for use in people age 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for use in people age 18 and older

People With Pre-existing Conditions Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

3/16/2021

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that starting March 22nd Wisconsinites 16 and older who have the health conditions such as asthma, cancer, COPD, heart conditions, hypertension, obesity, liver disease, Pulminary fibrosis, Type 1 and 2 diabetes or are pregnant can receive the vaccine for Corona Virus. In all, there are 20 such medical conditions listed by the DHS. This newly announced, eligible group comes as the federal government has moved to distribute larger quantities of the vaccine more efficiently. The health department estimates there are 2,000,000 Wisconsinites that qualify. Those individuals within this newest group with more severe conditions will be prioritized.

Wisconsin Ranks Third In Nation In Percentages of Doses Administered

3/5/2021

1.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Wisconsinites. Wisconsin also ranks 1st in the Upper Midwest in the number of total doses/100,000 people. 59.8% of people 65 and above have received their first dose, or 600,000. 17.6% of Wisconsin's population or over 1,000,000 doses has received their first dose.

The Number of Groups Eligible For Vaccine In Wisconsin To Increase Next Month

                                                                                                        2/26/2021

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today (2/26/2021) that beginning March 1st more groups of Wisconsinites will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. As in the past, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies administering the vaccine will give priority to already previously designated groups (see above.)

The groups newly added to COVID-19 vaccine, priority list include:

• 
  
• Teachers and support staff in schools and day care centers
• Medicaid recipients enrolled in long term programs
• Specified essential workers in public
• Essential healthcare workers not on the front-line
• Staff and residents of facilities where large gatherings are common

1,000,000 Vaccine Doses Have Been Administered to Wisconsinites

2/17/2021

Over 12.7% of Wisconsin's population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  740,450 of the state's citizens have received the 1st dose while 4.5 percent, or 263,877 have received the second dose. The number of Wisconsinites receiving the vaccine is above the national average, this news coming while the 2 week average number of cases for the state continues to decline. As of today only 657 cases were reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) these numbers compare with those in September of 2020. Officials are cautiously optimistic about the future as many CDC experts worry about a spike of cases after Spring Break.

DHS Announces A Milestone Week For Wisconsin's Vaccination Program reached a major milestone   

2/12/2021

Almost one in three individuals age 65 or over have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In just under two months since the first vaccine arrived in Wisconsin, over 860,389 vaccinations have been given with 197,362 Wisconsinites being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We continue to see a limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, and Wisconsin continues to prioritize groups eligible to get the vaccine. Please be patient as it will take time for vaccinators to get shots into the arms of our state's most vulnerable populations.

DHS's new partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare creates Wisconsin's 1st Community Site for Vaccine

February 8, 2021

Governor Evers announced today (Monday, February 8, 2021) that Rock County will be the 1st community-based clinic for administering COVID-19 vaccines. AMI gives the state the ability to deploy the initiative coordinated with the National Guard at the projected capacity of 250 vaccines/day and expand to 1000 doses across to 6-10 sites in Rock County. Wisconsin's 1st clinic is scheduled to open February 16th.

“Our top priority is to get folks vaccinated and to continue to keep Wisconsinites healthy and safe, and that’s going to take a team effort not only with partners like AMI, but with every Wisconsinite practicing social distancing and wearing masks and doing their part to help prevent the spread in the meantime.”

About AMI, according to the press release: "AMI is a physician-owned and physician-led company that specializes in delivering health care solutions in some of the most remote, challenging, and under-resourced environments in the world."

Governor Tony Evers Signs Executive Order #105

February 5, 2021

On February 4, 2021 Governor Evers signed Emergency Order #1 and Executive Order #105 requiring mask wearing in public places to protect the health of all Wisconsinites. The orders come on the heals of news of new strains of the COVID-19 now appearing in the state and to build off the success of declining positive case numbers being reported by DHS in the last two weeks.

The Governor's press release also reveals that; "In total, Republicans in the Legislature this year (2020) alone have spent millions in taxpayer dollars in litigation to hamstring the state’s ability to respond to the ongoing pandemic rather than meet to address the issues facing Wisconsinites. Despite writing in a brief to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April 2020 that stated Republicans were “drafting even now” legislation to respond to the pandemic, Republicans have not sent a bill to the governor’s desk in more than 290 days."

1 in 4 Wisconsinites Over 65 Have Received the Vaccine

February 5, 2021

MADISON — Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that 25% of people over the age of 65 have received their first dose of the vaccine. In all total

702,091 doses have been administered, while 986,275 doses were allocated ("vaccine doses made available to Wisconsin by the federal government but may not be available to order as the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program also receives doses")., 770,700 doses were ordered and 129,550 doses are in transit.

Governor Tony Evers signs Executive Order #104

January 19, 2021

MADISON — The newly signed order mandates mask wearing indoors for anyone above the age of 5 when not around family members. This State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency declaration comes in response to a number of dire trends such as the January 12, 2021 confirmation that Wisconsin has its' first case of the new COVID-19 variant, and the record number of Wisconsinites testing positive for COVID-19 at 500,000 cases.

In addition, nearly 5500 Wisconsinites have perished from the virus.

PHMDC's Emergency Order #12 goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. January 13

January 11, 2021

Madison - The Madison and Dane County Public Health departments (PHMDC) have jointly issued new COVID-19 guidelines for area restaurants, bars, public gatherings due in part to increases in the number of positive cases in the region. Emergency Order #12 expires February 10th. The newly issued, order reaffirms previously issued #11 but modifies previous guidelines. and allows for indoor gatherings of up to 10 people, covering physical disturbances and face. Order #12 now allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people and indoor gatherings up to 10 masked, and socially distanced individuals.

DHS releases latest COVID-19 vaccine numbers put out by The Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) on January 5

January 6, 2021

As of Tuesday January 5 420,000 doses of the vaccines have been allocated to Wisconsin through the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program. 266,675 vaccines have been shipped to the Badger state and 85,609 doses administered The Pfizer vaccine still is the most

administered vaccine at 64,674 doses while the Moderna version has been administered 20,935 times.

DHS announces at COVID-19 Media Briefing that 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been delivered to two distribution hubs

December 16, 2020

DHS Secretary Designee, Andre Palm announced via Youtube that 50,000 doses of the recently FDA approved, Pfizer vaccine will be distributed to health providers from 8 regional hubs in the state. Each hub is equipped with ultra, cold storage capacities to accommodate the doses.

10,000 doses are expected to be administered to front line, healthcare workers in Phase 1a of the DHS distribution. Additionally, 100,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine is expected to arrive in the coming week pending FDA approval.

Once more health facilities complete the requisite, DHS vaccine training and enrollment process more doses will be distributed statewide.

DHS activated the pharmacy distribution program (a CDC/national pharmacy chain partnership) to administer the vaccine from nursing facilities.

"But please remember that will take months before the vaccine is widely available," said Palm so continue to practice safe distancing, mask up and stay home if you show any symptoms as the CDC recommends.

Monitoring wastewater may predict a community's COVID-19 activity level

December 9, 2020

A new online dashboard launched by the Department of Health Services will display the latest data acquired by the department's wastewater surveillance program. This new initiative places COVID-19 under the radar at the micro level similar to previous sewerage tests for other infectious diseases and may help predict upticks in cases a week in advance.

“This wastewater surveillance data can provide a larger window for public health officials to execute targeted public health interventions,” said Dr. Jonathan Meiman, Chief Medical Officer for the DHS Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health. “Along with testing, robust contact tracing, and monitoring disease activity, this new dashboard will be an important tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities throughout the state.”

Find the live monitoring here at the DHS's online dashboard.

Monitoring commenced in June this year and will continue until June 2021.

New CDC 10 day quarantine, guidelines for COVID-19 warrants update from Wisconsin DHS

December 7, 2020

Under the newest CDC guidelines asymptomatic persons in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual are no longer required to quarantine 14 days provided they continue to monitor their symptoms for the two week period

The revised 10 day recommendation stems from empirical data indicating that transmission rates dissipate after the 10 day period. DHS believes the the updated guidelines make contact tracing easier and participants more compliant.

Future quarantine duration is expected to draw down to seven days as counties and municipalities implement a more robust testing regimen for people who remain asymptomatic provided that daily symptom monitoring continues for the full 14 day period. This change is based on modeling data suggesting that the residual risk of transmission is very low after 10 days, and the expectation that a less burdensome requirement may improve community compliance with quarantine and contact tracing.

The  7 day quarantine is possible when using a test-based strategy. Individuals may be released from quarantine after 7 days  People not experiencing symptoms after their quarantine and have a negative test can end their quarantine. after 7 days.

The new DHS directives go into effect today.

The Wisconsin Hospital Association presidents' letter urges legislative action to help stressed hospitals

November 20, 2020

Faced with the shortages in healthcare workers and ICU rooms in hospitals across the state President and CEO Eric Borgerding of the Wisconsin Hospital Association calls on Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to act now. Borgerding wrote, "...the data simply illustrate the human tragedy playing out in front of them (healthcare workers) every day.” The president's letter went on to say "without significant, swift, and unified action (the COVID-19 pandemic) will become a catastrophe."

Borgerding urges a state mask wearing policy and financial support for increased capacity of hospitals state wide.

Matt Haywood CEO of Aspirus in Wausau in a Wednesday press conference stressed the need for families to refrain from large gatherings in the holiday season, and that area hospitals are pushing above capacity requiring them to only accept the most critically ill patients.

“A crisis of this magnitude caused by a virus that is so clearly raging across all of Wisconsin demands a unified and substantial response,” wrote Borgerding. “Your joint leadership is critical to improve this situation, allowing everyone to get back to our way of life sooner.”

Faced with a horrifying rise in COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin Governor Evers declares an extension of Emergency Order 1

Nov. 18, 2020

In a live online broadcast Tony Evers declared noting the Republicans challenge in court to the fask wearing mandate, “I am once again calling on Republicans to withdraw their support for this lawsuit and to publicly support our new public health emergency and face coverings order." Emergency Order 1 states: WHEREAS,“Our Constitution principally entrusts ‘[t]he safety and the health of the people’ to the politically accountable officials of the States ‘to guard and protect.’”S. Bay United Pentecostal Church v Newsom, 140 S. Ct. 1613, (Mem)–1614 (2020) (quoting Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, 38 (1905)); WHEREAS,Section 323.12(4)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes authorizes the Governor to issue “such orders as he or she deems necessary for the security of persons and property” during an emergency. 

Governor Evers also called on the citizens of Wisconsin to contact their legislators in the U.S. Senate to finally pass the CARES package which was passed in the U.S. House back May of this year. The needed assistance will help our healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic, thousands of state residents avert eviction, receive needed unemployment, farmers, and help small businesses.

The extension of Emergency Order 1 is set to expire in January 2021

Record number of COVID-19 Rock County returns to Phase I

Nov. 16, 2020

Beloit, WI. - Due to the rising number of confirmed, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths Rock County's Public Health department announced that effective November 16, 2020 it will return to Phase One. Rock County urges all its' citizens to work together to reduce the spread of the virus, and lessen the burden on the already overwhelmed local healthcare facilities. Under the new order libraries, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, places of worship, offices, pools, and gyms which were previously operating at 50% capacity are asked to reduce to 25% capacity. Outdoor playgrounds and garage sales are now restricted to 10 people social distancing or less down from 25. Salons, spas, body art parlors are limited to appointments only, one per client, and no walk-ins..The revised Phase One guidelines now recommend to avoid public gatherings of any size "between individuals who are not members of the same living unit or household."

Governor Tony Evers' State of State address focuses on COVID-19

Nov. 11, 2020

Madison, WI. - From his office at the state capitol Governor Evers gave a televised speech to Wisconsinites stressing the shared responsibility of neighbor to neighbor, business to business cooperation in combating the Corona Virus. The governor also issued Executive Order #94 which

lists safety tips we can all execute together to reduce the number of daily COVID-19 cases.

"We must get back to the basics of fighting this virus, just like we did last spring, and it starts at home. That’s why tonight, I signed Executive Order #94, advising Wisconsinites to stay home to save lives," the governor stated from his Twitter account (@GovEvers.)

Additionally, Governor Evers referenced COVID-19 resource, funding legislation he hopes to have pass in the coming days.

COVID-19 Cases in Southern Wisconsin Counties

Oct. 30, 2020

The number of total COVID-19 cases Wisconsin has reached 200,000. Wisconsin's epidemiologist, Dr. Ryan Westergaard called the upward trending of corona virus cases “a nightmare scenario, frankly, that this could get quite a bit worse in the next several weeks or months before it gets better.”

The Department of Health Services released its' latest Corona Virus 19 case totals county by county across Wisconsin. Below is a table featuring southern Wisconsin counties. Data updated by DHS 10/29/2020.

Get Your Flu Shot!

Sept. 28, 2020

The Mayo Clinic, (WHO) World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)recommend getting a flu shot this year. According the CDC getting your vaccine this flu season is more important than ever given that the world is in middle of a global pandemic.

When you get a flu shot:

• You lessen the burden on crucial medical professionals and systems
• You keep medical supplies at safe levels
• You keep hospital beds plentiful
• You lessen the confusion of not knowing if you have COVID-19, or the seasonal flu
• You keep your respiratory system from being compromised
• You keep you immunity and energy levels up

Do your patriotic duty for your country now and get your flu shot at a local clinic, pharmacy or chain store in the southwestern region.  We have provided a list of places where you can get flu shot now. This list provided by Vaccinefinder.org was a recommended link from the Rock County governmental website.

Please check with your health insurance provider first before doing a walk-in or setting up an appointment.