Department of Health Services

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

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Jump To 74-Day High

No new deaths, state total at 998.

Wisconsin National Guard continues statewide COVID-19 testing this week

Mask Violation Reporting Form Stirs Debate

State mask mandate not enforced by police, but some counties allow people to report on those violating it.

5,000 Wisconsin Residents Hospitalized Because of COVID-19

But only 352 currently.

New One-Day COVID-19 Case Record

Ventilator usage near a pandemic high, but no shortage of capacity.

Opioid Overdoses Skyrocket During Pandemic

Opioid overdoses are up 117 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

One in 100 Wisconsin Residents Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

State testing data shows state hits threshold for first time. Milwaukee County is greater than one in 50.

Important Things Voters Should Know for Primary Day

More Than 220,000 Wisconsin Households to Receive Additional FoodShare Benefits for July and August in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

More Than 220,000 Wisconsin Households to Receive Additional FoodShare Benefits for July and August in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Wisconsin On COVID-19 Testing Surge

Over 17,000 tests for three days in a row.

Music on the Beerline? Virtually

Also, curbside cream puffs at the State Fair, a virtual dance party and a socially distanced art show.

COVID-19 Slowing in Milwaukee County, Increasing Statewide

Milwaukee County still has fourth largest per capita spread in state, but it's down 29 percent.

Evers Says No Statewide School Re-Opening Plan

School districts will be responsible for decisions about re-opening.

Federal Grant to Address Behavioral Health During COVID-19 Pandemic

Funding to support services offered by county and community agencies

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlights public health measures taken by the Milwaukee Health and Fire Departments, Department of Administration, Election Commission, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Release Business Names With COVID-19 Outbreaks

Let the public make informed decisions about their own safety.

Waukesha County Seeing Spike in COVID-19

Sheriff says he won't enforce the mask mandate.

Lowest COVID-19 Case Total In a Month

Testing continues to trend upward.

Wisconsin National Guard continues statewide COVID-19 testing this week

957 New Cases, Only One Death

Data released Sunday largely mirrors that released last Sunday.

One In Every 50 Milwaukee County Residents Has Tested Positive For COVID-19

Death total reaches highest level in 50 days.

WMSE’s Annual Art & Music Festival Goes Virtual

Also, if you miss catching limited-release independent films, Milwaukee Film is streaming them for you.

1,059 New Cases As Governor Announces Mask Mandate

Second biggest testing and case day on record.

Evers Issues Statewide Mask Mandate

Order goes into effect August 1st.

870 New COVID-19 Cases

Over 700 cases in 19 of last 21 days, but positive case rate no longer climbing.

National Guard’s COVID-19 Testing At Risk

Federal funding for this ends next month. Guard members have helped accomplish much of testing in Wisconsin.

Larson Launches State Mask Mandate Petition

State senator has gotten 8,000 signatures and a torrent of social media abuse.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Going Up

Hospitalizations rising among every age group in county; higher death rate may follow.