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State records fewer than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases Monday

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For the first time since the Holidays, Wisconsin reported fewer than a thousand new COVID-19 cases.

The state Department of Health Services reported 984 positive tests Monday, on a relatively small number of tests, just over 5100. The seven day average of new cases per day was at 1,682.

DHS also reported eight COVID deaths, bringing the total death toll to 5,699. Both the number of hospitalized patients and the number in ICUs increased slightly, to 772 and 175 respectively, although both numbers have been trending steadily downward since earlier this month.

Organizations line up to oppose Republican effort to end Evers’ mask order

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Milwaukee kids IMAGE: MaskUpMKE.org

Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature want to cancel the governor’s mask order. The state Medical Society wants it continued.

Dr. Bud Chumbley is CEO of the Wisconsin Medical Society. “The science is definitive that they reduce the spread of COVID-19, and thus by reducing the spread, reduces the morbidity and mortality.”

The state Senate will consider a Republican authored joint resolution today. If passed there and in the Assembly, it would make one of the few public health tools available to slow the pandemic, less effective.

“It’s obvious that we would oppose it,” Chumbley said. Other organizations that have registered against the resolution include Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards,  Wisconsin Public Health Association, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches. None have registered in support.

Republicans contend Democratic Governor Tony Evers exceeded his authority in declaring multiple public health emergencies and mask orders. The resolution, if passed, would not require Evers’ signature.

“You know, regardless of your political leanings, the best way to control spread is with a mask, until we can get enough people vaccinated that we can control the pandemic,” Chumbley said.

Monday is first day for 65 and older vaccination eligibility

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Starting Monday, Wisconsin residents age 65 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk cautioned last week that doesn’t mean everyone in that age group will be able to get vaccinated right away.

“There are approximately 700-thousand Wisconsinites over the age of 65,” she said. “Let’s remember our state currently only receives 70-thousand first doses of vaccine per week.”

That means it will take some to vaccinate everyone in that age group who wants to receive the vaccine. Eligible residents may schedule appointments through their health care provider, pharmacies and local health departments.

Natural Resources Board rejects February grey wolf hunt

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The state Natural Resources Board on Friday heard from proponents and opponents of an immediate wolf hunt in Wisconsin.

Luke Hilgeman is a former legislative staffer who founded the hunting rights organization Hunter Nation. “For the Department of Natural Resources and the Evers’ administration to claim that this is somehow rushed, just doesn’t make sense in fact,” Hilgeman said.

“We’re dealing with some really unknowns that we’ve never dealt with . . . if we’re allowing our harvest to occur in the middle of winter, and the use of hounds extensively across the state that we’ve never done before,” said Adrian Wydevan, a former wolf biologist with the DNR who now chairs of the Timber Wolf Alliance Council.

A wolf hunt is scheduled for this November, but proponents of a February hunt fear the Biden administration will put the wolf back on the federal Endangered Species List. The wolf was official delisted in early January.

Republican legislators have also demanded the immediate hunt, but the board voted 4-3 against that on Friday.

The DNR’s most recent estimate put the number of grey wolves in the state at 1,034.

Evers defends Wisconsin COVID-19 vaccination efforts

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Governor Tony Evers on Thursday defended Wisconsin’s widely criticized coronavirus vaccination effort.

“Could things have gone better? I suppose by a day or two, had everything gone perfectly. But at the end of the day we’re driven by how many shots we have to put into peoples’ arms,” Evers said during a media conference call.

Republicans who control the Wisconsin legislature have taken the lead on the criticism, and have proposed legislation to address it.

Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Diijk said Thursday the state is receiving about 70,000 doses of the vaccine a week and will continue to receive it at that level for the next 3-4 weeks — not enough to meet the need.

“I know people are real interested on when exactly . . they can get this vaccine, and unfortunately we can’t guarantee it,” Evers said.

Wisconsin residents over the age of 65 will be able to receive the vaccination beginning Monday – but Evers and Willems Van Diijk called for patience.

“I know people are real interested on when exactly . . they can get this vaccine, and unfortunately we can’t guarantee it,” Evers said, adding that he intends to get the vaccine when contacted by his physician.

DHS is reviewing a recommendation, from the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee, that teachers, grocery store and food industry workers, transit drivers and others be added to the vaccination priority list.

 

State could reach 1,000 COVID-19 related deaths for January

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Wisconsin could be on a path to 1,000 coronavirus related deaths this month, even as confirmed cases decline.

The state Department of Health Services on Wednesday announced 50 more deaths due to COVID-19. That brings the statewide toll to 5,562, and 703 such deaths since the first of the year, with a seven day average of 45 daily deaths.

while the positive rate for all tests fell from 7.4 to 7.2 percent, the lowest since the state has begun regularly reporting that rate several months ago.

And while case activity remains very high or critically high in all but six of the state’s 72 counties, the 7-day average of new cases Wednesday, 1,807, was the lowest in four months.

The positive rate for all tests was 7.2 percent, the lowest since the state has begun regularly reporting that rate several months ago.

Evers announces new public health emergency, extends mask mandate

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Milwaukee kids IMAGE: MaskUpMKE.org

Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday issued a new statewide public health emergency and face mask requirement.

The order continues through March 20 and, with some exceptions, requires everyone age 5 and older to wear a mask indoors when they’re around people who they don’t live with.

The order comes amid heightened concerns over a new, more easily transmissible strain of COVID-19.

There were some indications Tuesday that the state is turning the corner on the pandemic. The Department of Health Services reported the 7-day average of new, confirmed cases is below 2,000.

DHS did report 42 more deaths related to the virus, bringing the total to 5,512.

DHS expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those 65 and older – but calls for patience

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Starting Monday, Wisconsin residents age 65 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk cautioned that doesn’t mean everyone in that age group will be able to get vaccinated right away.

“There are approximately 700-thousand Wisconsinites over the age of 65. Let’s remember our state currently only receives 70,000 first doses of vaccine per week,” Willems Van Dijk said.

That means it will take some to vaccinate everyone in that age group who wants to receive the vaccine.

“Our health care providers, our local and tribal health departments, and our pharmacies are doing incredible work already, vaccinating our health care workers and staff, and residents in long term care facilities. And as they expand this vaccination to Wisconsin residents over the age of 65, we need to remember their dedication, and be patient as the effort gets up and running.”

Tuesday is start of mobile vaccination pilot program

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Tuesday marks the start of a mobile vaccination program in Wisconsin. It’s a partnership between the The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin National Guard.

DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said program will launch with nine teams tasked with supporting local and tribal health departments as needed

“We’re starting small to learn, and we will grow as we move forward,” Willems Van Dijk said.

Each 12-to-15 person team will include members who will remain with people after they received their vaccination.

“We know there have been instances of anaphylaxsis in regard to it (the vaccine), so we want to do this as safely as possible, not as rushed as possible.”

It’s anticipated the teams will initially be able to vaccinate between 70 and 140 people per day, and grow from there.

Andrea Palm leaving DHS for Biden administration

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President elect Joe Biden has named Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to his administration.

Governor Tony Evers’ office confirmed Monday that Palm will be nominated to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, rejoining the federal agency in which she served during the Obama administration.

“Andrea Palm is a public servant through and through—she’s been a critical part of our administration and a consummate professional who has done an extraordinary job helping lead our state during an unprecedented public health crisis. I know she will continue to serve our country just as she has our state—with empathy, kindness, and tenacity. I wish her our very best as she leaves us to take this new opportunity.”

Palm’s last day will be Inauguration Day, Wednesday.

Evers nominated Palm to lead DHS in January 2019, but her conformation was blocked by then Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald. Republicans who opposed her job cited her decision to name a former Planned Parenthood lobbyist as deputy secretary.

They’ve also been highly critical of Palm’s leading role in the response to the coronavirus pandemic, and have called for her to be fired.

Evers also announced that Karen Timberlake, DHS secretary under former Governor Jim Doyle during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus response, will serve as DHS interim secretary, beginning January 25.