Department of Health Services

Drug Take Back Day is October 24

Voters and Election Officials Push Forward

“Tremendous turnout.” State-wide more than 785,000 election ballots already turned in.

Is Janesville Trump Country?

His Sunday speech there might suggest that. But past voting totals tell a different story.

Health Departments Plan For Mass Vaccine Distribution

Officials working on the logistics of vaccinating millions once it is ready.

No COVID-19 Data Release This Weekend

Software upgrade has Wisconsin record systems offline through Monday.

Religious Leaders Want Stricter COVID-19 Measures

Some call for restricting religious gathering size, more personal responsibility.

Mask Mandate Targeted by Another Conservative Lawsuit

New lawsuit filed this week by Heartland Institute board member.

The Architecture of a Pandemic

New Miller Park testing site opens Monday at 11 a.m.

Wisconsin’s Active COVID-19 Cases Would Form 24th Largest City in State

Records set for new cases, positive case rate and rolling death total.

Health Departments Overwhelmed by Contact Tracing Work

Some are limiting tracing to high-risk cases, others have patients notifying potential contacts.

Erpenbach Applauds DHS Change in Health Care Benefits Policy for Incarcerated Individuals

Long-Sought change will help those in need of substance use recovery and treatment

Wisconsin Adopts Policy that Suspends Rather than Terminates Medicaid Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals

New policy will enable Medicaid-eligible individuals leaving jail or prison to have health care coverage immediately upon release

New One-Day COVID-19 Case Record As Hospitalizations Surge 181% In 30 Days

Records set for new cases, positive case rate, active hospitalizations and rolling death total.

AG Kaul Announces Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force Membership

October 15, 2020

COVID-19 Facility at State Fair Park Opens

Alternative care facility fielding calls from hospitals across state looking to transfer patients.

Record 1,017 People Actively Hospitalized With COVID-19

Average daily death toll hits all-time record.

Pence Touts Trump, Blasts Mayor Barrett

His speech in Waukesha calls it “Trump country.” Attendees not socially distanced.

Record Day for COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths

3,279 cases, 147 new hospitalizations, 34 deaths.

Republicans Have ‘Blood On Their Hands”

Evers signals he will ignore Legislative restriction, challenges GOP to present their pandemic plan.

More Than 205,000 Wisconsin Households to Receive Additional October FoodShare Benefits in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Maximum amounts of benefits increased by federal government on October 1

GOP Legislators In Rules Standoff With Evers

Republican resolution requires Evers' health restrictions on public gatherings to get committee approval.

950 People Actively Hospitalized With COVID-19, A New High

State sets new seven-day case high as well

Nursing Homes Help Cause Hospital Bed Shortage

Homes with COVID-19 outbreak can’t accept hospital patients ready to transition.

Wisconsin Sets New Seven-Day COVID-19 High

17,573 cases in the past week.

Please Legislate, Democrats Ask State Senate

They call on Republican leaders to come back in session, deal with crisis state faces.

Caregivers Need Better Pay, Support, Report Finds

Evers' task force recommends legislation and investments to help state's caregivers.

GOP Legislators Attack Evers’ New Restrictions

But Republicans have proposed zero plans for dealing with the coronavirus.

Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility Opens in Milwaukee

New residential mental health treatment option

Public Hearing is Necessary before Striking down COVID Strategy

3,132 New COVID-19 Cases, A New Record

The number of people actively hospitalized sets another record.

Milwaukee Enforcing Existing Capacity Restrictions Over Lower State Limits

Health Department determines its order is more restrictive, superseding blanket 25% restriction.

Milwaukee Comedy Festival Goes Virtual

Plus, ghost tours at The Riverside Theater, Unfinished Legacy streetwear pop-up at Sky High, and Kayak and Yoga at Kletzsch Park

Gov. Evers Delivers Democratic Radio Address on Public Gatherings Limit and Encourages Wisconsinites to Stay Home

State Should Identify Schools With COVID-19 Outbreaks

A handful of other states are doing this, and so should Wisconsin's Department of Health Services.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department will continue to enforce the Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely Order as written

“This Is Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better” Says Top Health Official

New records for actively hospitalized and newly admitted.

Due to Increased Hospitalizations in the Fox Valley, Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin State Fair Park Alternate Care Facility to Accept COVID-19 Patients October 14

Record COVID-19 surges throughout the state increases pressure on Wisconsin health systems

Teachers ‘At The End of Their Rope’, Union Leader Says

Calls for no in-person classes unless communities meet benchmarks set by health experts.

COVID-19 necessitates reimagined 2020 Halloween

Statement of Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic

Evers Restricts Bar, Restaurant Capacity

All public, indoor facilities cannot exceed 25% of capacity. Order runs through November 6th.

Gov. Evers Directs Department of Health Services to Limit Indoor Public Gatherings

Health Departments ‘Cracking Under Strain’ of Pandemic

Top epidemiologist say state needs more contact tracing staff, expanded testing to slow virus spread.

3 New COVID-19 Test Sites Include Miller Park

City opening new ones as National Guard testing sites will close October 17th.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Up 127% In Three Weeks

Active hospitalizations set a record high for third day in a row,

Rep. Robyn Vining Emphasizes the Severity of COVID-19 in Wisconsin

Record Number of COVID-19 Hospitalizations

In total, 7,646 people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wisconsin, 714 are currently.

2,892 New COVID-19 Cases, A New High

Active hospitalizations hit another record high.

Evers Urges Citizens, Practice COVID Safety

As cases surge, governor has given up on GOP legislators, urges people to stay home, wear masks.

Barnes Urges Social Distancing to Slow COVID-19 Spread

The lieutenant governor says people need to exercise caution heading into cold weather.

EPA Unveils New Lead Regulations

But critics say allowable lead levels for drinking water are too high.

2,745 New COVID-19 Cases, 663 Actively Hospitalized

Wisconsin's COVID-19 surge shows no signs of slowing.

Art and Artisan Fair Coming to Bayshore

Plus, there are opportunities to drink some Oktoberfest beer and go on a hike with the family.

October Starts With Single-Day COVID-19 Case Record

Wisconsin's COVID-19 surge shows no signs of slowing.

Record One-Day COVID-19 Death Total in Wisconsin

Active and new hospitalizations climb to new record highs

With Surge in Cases, DHS Launches New COVID-19 Data and Mitigation Strategies to Aid Local Communities

DHS launches new data about disease activity, hospital capacity, cases among children, and percent positive by test, as well as mitigation strategies guidance

Avoid Public Gatherings, Evers Urges People

Governor warns pandemic spiking, “a crisis — virus is everywhere,” says top health official.

DNR To Fund Sampling Of Hundreds Of Potable Wells For PFAS In The Town Of Peshtigo

Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes, DHS, and UW Population Health Institute Announce Just Recovery Initiative to Address Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Wisconsin’s Communities of Color

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Health Equity Council

One Out of 50 Wisconsin Residents Has Tested Positive for COVID-19

Active hospitalizations hit another record high.

Active COVID-19 Hospitalizations Double in September

One in 50 Wisconsin residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

Courts To Decide Governors’ Emergency Powers

Republicans oppose Evers’ mask mandate, want courts to restrict longtime power of governors.

2,217 New Cases, 571 Actively Hospitalized

Positive case rate continues to climb upward.

2,817 New COVID-19 Cases, A New High

One-day record has jumped 152 percent in September. Active hospitalizations hit new high.

Wisconsin Needs More Contact Tracers

State likely needs an additional 8,000 tracers to respond to COVID-19 spread.

Hike to Support the Urban Ecology Center

Plus, a virtual Doors Open Milwaukee, and outdoor movie night and it's Walkers Point Appreciation Week.

State’s College Towns Top U.S. Pandemic List

Wisconsin has 6 of nation’s 20 metro areas with most COVID-19 cases in past two weeks.

Republicans Fight Evers Mask Order

Emergency order “obviously illegal,” Evers a “lawless governor,” Vos declares.

Record Number of People Hospitalized with COVID-19

Cases hit an all-time high in early September, now hospitalizations are catching up.

Evers Declares New Health Emergency, Extends Mask Mandate

Scheduled to expire September 28th, mandate now runs to November 21st.

Gov. Evers Declares New Public Health Emergency Due to Campus Outbreaks, Issues New Face Coverings Order

2,533 Cases, 25% Jump To New Record

Totals just keep climbing higher as cases surge at university campuses across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Awarded $16.7 Million Federal Grant to Counter Addictions to Opioids and Stimulants

Funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services

Tune Into the Minority Health Film Festival

Also, check out a dinosaur drive-thru, buy a burger for mental health and register to vote.

Over 2,000 New Cases For The First Time

9,865 cases in the past seven days, a record high.

New Call Center Expands Support for People in Emotional Distress

More Wisconsin calls to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline being answered in state

Evers Wants to Extend Mask Mandate

Order expires in two weeks, governor looking at "every possible avenue” to extend it.

COVID-19 Cases Declining In Every Age Group Except 18-24

But seven-day case total is at an all-time high.

State’s Suicide Rate Up 40% Since 2000

Rate is on par with alarming national trend.

UW System Behind Testing Dorm Residents

Ramping up COVID-19 testing nearly two weeks after classes started at most campuses.

771 New Cases, Seven-Day Total Keeps Climbing

Positive case rate continues its upward trend.

Gov. Evers, OCI Commissioner Afable, DHS Secretary-designee Palm Encourage Wisconsinites Who Lost Health Insurance Anytime this Year to Enroll 

Local Health Officials Stripped of Power?

State Supreme Court’s Dane County ruling could threaten longstanding power of all local health officials, expert believes.

COVID-19 Cases At All-Time High, Testing At Three-Month Low

Hospitalizations trending upward.

Report Shows 40% Increase in Wisconsin Suicide Rate Since 2000, Offers Plan to Reduce Deaths

Kayak to Support Milwaukee Riverkeepers

Also, welcome home the D.C. marchers, try some Lao BBQ or take a Ghost Walk.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of 9/11 and State Day of Service and Remembrance

DHS Expands COVID Connect Test Registration Website to Include Spanish, Hmong, and Somali Languages

Milwaukee County Now Has 34th Worst COVID-19 Outbreak

Fastest growing outbreak centered on Fox Valley, northeastern corner of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Launches “You Stop the Spread” Multimedia Campaign

Encourages People to Protect Themselves and Their Communities from COVID-19

El departamento de salud del estado (DHS) anuncia una oportunidad de financiamiento para el alcance comunitario de información sobre los virus de la gripe y las vacunas contra la gripe

El DHS también insta a los residentes de Wisconsin a vacunarse contra la gripe este otoño para protegerse, proteger a sus seres queridos y a la comunidad contra los virus de la gripe

State Health Department Announces Funding Opportunity for Community Outreach about Flu Viruses and Flu Vaccines

DHS also urges Wisconsinites to get the flu shot this fall to protect themselves, loved ones and community against flu viruses

Wisconsin National Guard continues statewide COVID-19 testing this week

Record COVID-19 Cases As a Result of Reporting Fix

Positive case rate, a measure of if enough testing is being done, continues to climb.

First Human Death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis Reported in Chippewa County

State and local public health officials encourage everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites

Governor Evers and State Public Health Officials Encourages Residents to Wear a Mask and Limit Exposure Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

Over 20% of confirmed cases associated with group gatherings

New Data Dashboard Shows COVID-19 Trends by Age Group

Numbers reveal younger people have more confirmed cases and higher rates of illness in Wisconsin

Biden Visits Blake Family in Kenosha

In speech, Biden is optimistic about addressing racism, police reform.

“We’re Not Doing Enough Tests” Says State Disease Expert

"I think it's very safe to say that we're not doing enough tests," says Dr. Ryan Westergaard.

DHS Opens Second Round of Applications for Funds to Support Health Care Providers Affected by COVID-19

Wisconsin Makes CARES Act funds available to home and community-based service providers, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, emergency medical services, and clinics