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Evers asks White House for Emergency Declaration

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Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday requested that President Donald Trump declare a federal emergency disaster for Wisconsin.

Evers sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency making the request, as a result the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers all 72 counties and 11 federally recognized tribes. Evers said the outbreak has caused multiple deaths, exhausted many of state resources, resulted in record unemployment claims, and taken a toll on the community infrastructure that is in place to protect the public.

Evers said the coronavirus has required a tremendous response from the state and all of its communities that far exceeds the resources currently available.

A copy of the governor’s letter is available here.

Evers asks state to ‘stay the course’ on ‘Safer at Home’ order

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Governor Tony Evers on Monday said the order he issued last week for Wisconsin is working to slow the spread of coronavirus. “The science and the data shows us that ‘Safer at Home’ is effective,” Evers said, urging residents to “stay the course.”

AUDIO: Governor Tony Evers & DHS briefing 68:00 

Department of Health Services Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard echoed the governor’s remarks. “My personal view is that we have already saved lives by doing ‘Safer at Home,’ because the number of cases that we have, have not doubled in the past two days. We’re seeing a slower curve.”

Evers acknowledged the state is entgering the worst of the pandemic, as the total number of confirmed cases reached 1,221 on Monday. DHS reported 14 deaths, but reports from local public health officials brought the number to 24.

Analysis shows Wisconsin could make it through coronavirus pandemic without shortage of hospital beds

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A new analysis predicts that Wisconsin could make it through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic without facing a shortage in hospital beds.

But it’s a projection that can change as new data becomes available. It also relies on the social distancing ordered by Governor Tony Evers being maintained and adhered to.

The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation projection for every state showed as of Sunday that Wisconsin’s peak resource use will come in 53 days, on May 22. By Monday, the data had already changed, indicating the state would peak in 26 days, on April 26.

That projection indicates social distancing measures could work as intended, flattening the curve of new COVID-19 infections, if Wisconsin residents continue to stay in place and stay at home.

The University of Washington projection has the U.S. reaching peak resource use in just 15 days, on April 15, with a shortage of more than 61,000 hospital beds. New York state is expected to be harder hit, peaking in nine days.

Wisconsin coronavirus cases exceed 1100 on Sunday

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The number of cases of coronavirus in Wisconsin grew by more than 100 on Sunday.  Confirmed cases reached 1,153, 112 cases more than Saturday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Milwaukee County reported 606 cases and DHS reported 547 in other counties. The number of cases is three times more than a week ago. More than 16,500 people tested negative for the virus, according to DHS.

Milwaukee County reported a new death on Sunday, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths due to coronavirus in the state of Wisconsin to 18. as of 7:45 pm Sunday.

Gov. Evers puts hold on evictions during COVID-19 emergency

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Governor Evers is officially putting a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, for now

The order, signed on Friday, will prohibit banks and landlords from going through evictions or foreclosures due to non-payment against their tenants and homeowners for the next 60 days. This is not a rent forgiveness order, and people still owe that money.

Evers says people who are able to continue to meet their financial obligations are urged to do so.

COVID-19 deaths now at 14 in Wisconsin, first death reported in northern Wisconsin

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The death toll from COVID-19 is now up to 14.

New deaths were reported in Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Iron Counties. That death in Iron County was also the first positive detection in the county.

The Department of Health Services says the total number of confirmed cases is also up to 842, but is probably a lot more. Dr. Ryan Westergaard says that the likely total number of people with the infection could be up to 10 times as many people, but that most people who have the disease are not being tested for it. 

All of the state’s counties are listed as having a high chance of infection at this point. Dane County health officials put out an alert on Friday stating that community spread is in place in the county, and that anyone who ventures out into public should assume they’re being exposed to COVID-19.

 

State sets up supply donations site for COVID-19 response

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is requesting assistance help in securing essential medical supplies for the state’s COVID-19 response.

The Governor is asking for any businesses that might have spare personal protection equipment to get in contact with state officials to help get those supplies to groups in need. That includes respirators, surgical gowns, medical gloves and other items.

The program offers both a donation option or a buyback option for large amounts of supplies. Find out more online at Covid19Supplies.WI.gov.

AARP Wisconsin warns of phony coronavirus charities and treatments

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AARP is warning seniors – and everyone else – to be vigilant for efforts to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tragedy and fear many people are experiencing spell opportunity for others.

Sam Wilson is state director for AARP Wisconsin. “We’re seeing an uptick in social media inquiries, as well as phone calls and emails, presenting themselves as having a cure or a treatment for coronavirus,” Wilson said. “There’s also a lot coming out now around imaginary relief agencies that are popping up . . requesting people to donate to their cause around coronavirus.”

Wilson said we all need to be extremely careful with any solicitations of any type, and to never provide personal financial information to any entity without first verifying that it’s legitimate.

“We’re really telling people to very mindful, take that one or two extra steps. If it’s an email solicitation ask them for a phone number to call. It it’s a phone call . . ask them for a number to call back to verify it is a local agency, before giving out any personal financial information.”

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