City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – This week, Milwaukee County remains in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. This level is determined by three metrics: new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.

In Milwaukee County, the case rate per 100,000 population is 119.06. This includes the city of Milwaukee’s rate of 89.3 per 100,000. There have been 11.6 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population and 4.5% of staffed inpatient beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19. Additional metrics, such as case burden and percent positivity, are accessible on MHD’s COVID-19 data dashboards.

Currently, 65.6% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated. All Milwaukeeans 6 months and older are eligible for the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and should prioritize getting vaccinated if they have not yet. To be eligible for the updated COVID-19 booster, you must have completed the primary series. At this time, 35.5% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older have received at least one booster dose.

All COVID-19 testing sites supported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have shifted to a new model of testing that uses antigen tests first to provide rapid results to individuals. The Milwaukee Health Department’s community testing site at the Menomonee Valley Drive-Thru is one of the sites that has transitioned to proctored rapid antigen tests. Confirmatory PCR tests will be provided to individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms but receive a negative antigen test. To expedite the process, individuals can register online for their test before arriving.

Trick-or-Treat in the city of Milwaukee will take place this Sunday, October 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. To make sure you and your little ones can enjoy a safe holiday, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Wear a mask – and not just a spooky one!
  • Make your well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask part of your costume.
  • A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a filtration face covering.
• Carry hand sanitizer and sanitize often after touching objects or other people.
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Trick or Treat with your household only.
  • Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other Trick-or-Treaters.
  • Wait your turn before approaching a house to avoid gathering in small spaces.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.
• If you are sick or have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, stay home.
  • Celebrate the holiday by putting on a Halloween movie and enjoying some sweets from your couch.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.