Department of Health Services

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

New Report Provides Guidance to Address Increased Suicide Deaths in Wisconsin

September is Suicide Prevention Month

UW System Begins In-Person Classes

As outbreaks drive other universities online, Thompson says UW has 'got to try’.

First Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Wisconsin in 2020

State and local public health officials remind everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites

Positive COVID-19 Case Rate Continues Upward Climb

Rate is at its highest point since early May and continues to climb.

22,663 COVID-19 Cases in August, 188 Deaths

How does that compare to June and July?

Knowing the Signs Can Help Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day

537 New COVID-19 Cases From 5,099 Tests

Active hospitalizations climb to 287, but still near 30-day low.

819 New COVID-19 Cases

Hospitalizations continue to drop.

821 New Cases, Positive Case Rate Rising

Hospitalizations up day-over-day, but down from a week ago.

COVID-19 Testing Climbing Again, As Are Cases

Active hospitalizations hit 30-day low.

Watch the Riverkeeper Boat Parade

Also, Jazz in the Park goes virtual and there are many upcoming brewery events.

Horses Test Positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Wisconsin

State Health Department urges everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites

Milwaukee County Now Has 13th Worst COVID-19 Spread

Washington and Waukesha still lead Milwaukee over past two weeks. Iron County worst in state and now second worst all time.

Wisconsin Has Higher COVID-19 Positive Case Rate Than Milwaukee

Long the state leader, Milwaukee County appears to be suppressing disease spread.

Lawsuit Challenges Evers Mask Mandate

Conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty challenges governor's emergency health order.

Lowest New COVID-19 Case Total Since June 29th

But assessing state's progress in fighting COVID-19 remains elusive for now.

Lowest COVID-19 Testing Total Since June 1st

The number of people being tested for the first time continues to decline.

The Reality of COVID-19 ‘Recovery’

For some it’s a long painful journey to recovery.

Pop-In to a Pop-Up This Week

Also, a virtual retail market and a concert livestream celebrating Black lives.

826 New COVID-19 Cases

Positive case rate on a sustained upward trend as testing falls.

Waukesha, Washington Counties Have Faster COVID-19 Spreads Than Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Racine, Ozaukee counties all see declining spreads, Waukesha and Washington accelerating.

COVID-19 Testing Falling Twice As Fast As Cases

663 new cases, 8 deaths.

COVID-19 Testing Continues to Fall Faster Than New Case Rate

13 deaths reported Tuesday.

455 New Cases, No Deaths

Monday data release often has lowest reported totals of the week, August 17th is no exception.

COVID-19 Spread Accelerating In Wisconsin Teenagers

Percentage of individuals under 19 that have contracted disease has increased every month this summer.

829 New Cases, 13 Deaths

Hospitalizations hold steady

New Chart Shows Wisconsin’s True COVID-19 Testing Utilization

Daily figures from DHS have filtered out duplicates, repeats.

44% of Seneca Food Plant Workers Test Positive

Outbreak in Barron County north of Eau Claire drives 162% hike in county’s COVID-19 cases.

Over 1,000 New Cases, But Active Hospitalizations Drop

Testing continues to sag.

Ahead of Trump Visit, Lt. Gov. Barnes, Health Care Professionals Blast Administration for Failed Coronavirus Response

"The Republicans who continue to bury Wisconsin under this pandemic could learn a thing or two by watching the Democratic Convention where they’ll see the pain they’ve caused our state.”

Are COVID-19 Deaths Higher Than We Think?

An epidemiological model suggests they could be.

School Reopening Guidance

COVID-19 Testing Hits Month Low

943 new cases reported Thursday.

New Farmers Market Visiting Food Deserts

Plus a mural unveiling, virtual retail pop-ups and an emmy winning artist live-streaming from the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

Baldwin Rebukes Trump Admin Over Testing Shortages

Local healthcare company Aurora has recently started rationing COVID-19 tests.

GOP Hasn’t Interfered With Mask Mandate

They've criticized it, but for now they've left it alone.

COVID-19 Spreading Faster in Waukesha County Than Milwaukee

As Milwaukee slows, the suburban cases grow.

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Receives Nursing Assistance from USDVA and WI National Guard

Over 1,000 Wisconsin Residents Have Died From COVID-19

Wisconsin's death rate is 14th lowest in country.

DPW Responds to 1,000 Wisconsinites Dying from COVID-19

Wisconsin COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 1,000