Department of Health Services

DHS Supports Second COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Adults 50 Years and Older and Certain Immunocompromised Individuals

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Strain Confirmed In Wisconsin’s Wild Bird Populations

Gov. Evers Announces $5 Million Investment to Expand Access to Telehealth Services

COVID-19 Levels Still Going Down

Weekly new cases of COVID-19 continue to drop.

Peshtigo Residents Seek Superfund Designation for PFAS Pollution

Residents send petition to EPA after two of six city wells shut down for high PFAS levels.

Lead Program Investigation Closed Without Criminal Charges

But investigation confirms program was mismanaged.

19 Precautions Before, During, and After Spring Break Travels

A few simple steps will help keep people safe and protect others

COVID-19 Downward Trends Continue

But wastewater sampling is showing an uptick in the amount of virus present.

Changes Coming to Medicaid Enrollment

Recipients can sign up for alerts to changes in their insurance plans.

Gov. Evers Signs 10 Bills to Promote Public Safety, Support Crime Victims and Survivors

Health Officials Urge Flu Shots After Child Deaths

Three children recently died from influenza. Less than 40% of state has received flu vaccine.

Gov. Evers Signs Three Bills in La Crosse to Help Address Substance Use and Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin

Wastewater Tests Show Uptick in COVID-19

Too early to tell but increases found in several cities, including Milwaukee.

‘You Are Heroes,’ Evers Tells Workers

Governor kicks off statewide tour to thank health and front-line workers who helped battle pandemic.

Boys & Girls Clubs Announce State Youth of the Year

Boys & Girls Clubs Announce State Youth of the Year

DHS Urges FoodShare Members to Protect Themselves from Fraud

State High Court To Rule On Local Health Orders

WILL suit charges Dane County health director had no power to issue orders combatting COVID-19.

Testing Kids For Lead Poisoning Declined During Pandemic

25% reduction in lead tests in state compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Gov. Evers Announces Additional Security Pay Program for State Employees

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 154 Wisconsin National Guard Members Completed CNA Training Course Since January

Provide update on administration’s efforts to support hospital and nursing home capacit

Fentanyl Drives Record Overdoses in 2021

Milwaukee County Medical Examiner reported 643 drug overdoses in 2021.

Families with Children Who Did Not Receive Free or Reduced Price Meals at School Due to COVID-19 Will Receive Food Benefits

Wisconsin issues first round of benefits through the 2021-2022 School P-EBT Program

How Gov. Evers Responded to Pandemic

It will be an issue in the election: A review of his record shows a very active governor.

Infant Formula Recall Worries Parents

Questions and answers, health concerns after recall of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare.

Republicans Restrict Right To Vote

Ramming through 5 bills making it harder to vote and hog tying nonpartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Wellpoint Care Network to Champion COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach, Host Clinic Events at Capitol Drive Campus

$65,000 grant brings critical vaccination access to underserved segment of city

Democrats Push Badger Care Public Option

Bill to expand Medicaid coverage, increase access to health care unlikely to pass.

Natural Resources Board Opts For Weaker PFAS Limits

Department of Health Services recommended stricter limits than those passed by board.

DHS Updates Vaccination Coverage Dashboard to Include Booster and Additional Dose Data

New metrics show coverage by county and demographics

NRB takes modest step to protect families from PFAS contamination, leaves out rural Wisconsinites

DHS Awards $3.4 Million in Community Outreach Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

City Has Most Cases of Syphilis in 20 Years

441 cases in 2021 versus 183 in 2020. Especially affecting women of child-bearing age.

DHS to Request 30-day Extension of Medicaid Coverage for Women After Pregnancy

Federal government’s approval would increase coverage from 60 to 90 days

State’s First Death From MIS-C Reported

Wisconsin has had 183 cases of rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19.

Assembly Passes Unemployment, Medicaid Restrictions

One proposal limits access to unemployment insurance when the unemployment rate is low.

First Death from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with COVID-19 Reported in Wisconsin

Kaul, Planned Parenthood Oppose Abortion Ban

GOP bill almost identical to restrictive 6-week abortion ban passed in Texas.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of former State Sen. Joseph S. Leean

DHS and Wisconsin Pediatricians Say Now is the Time to Catch Kids Up on Vaccines and Well-Child Visits

Wausau Wells Have Elevated PFAS Levels

All six city wells exceed the proposed state standards.

GOP Election Bills Are Far Reaching

Restricting absentee voting, more power for Legislature, nursing home employees could face prison.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Two Medical Marijuana Bills Proposed

One by legislators from each party. 37 states, including Mississippi, now allow it.

Gov. Evers Announces Funding Available for Municipalities to Voluntarily Test for PFAS in Drinking Water Supplies

Wastewater Testing Suggests COVID-19 Waning

Wisconsin one of 37 states using sewage analysis as early warning system.

Public Health Officials Monitoring Omicron Subvariant

Fewer than five cases of the new variant have been detected in Wisconsin.

Creating a workforce to build healthier communities

With help from Wisconsin’s Workforce Innovation Grant, UW-Eau Claire, Mayo Clinic, and others hope to train new generation of health care workers, teachers

Gov. Evers Announces 70 Wisconsin National Guard Members Complete CNA Training Course, Provide Support Hospital and Nursing Home Capacity

City Offering $100 Vaccine Incentive

Health Department offers $100 gift cards to any city resident getting first vaccination.

Affordable Care Numbers Rebound in State

212,000 sign up for coverage using federal marketplace. State credits outreach efforts, new incentives.

City Sees Surge in Syphilis Cases

Number for 2021 higher than combined total for 2016 through 2019.

County Distributing 575,000 N95 Masks

Distributing masks to municipalities and community service organizations.

Milwaukee County Receives 575,000 N-95 Masks from Evers Administration

Office of Emergency Management distributed 175,000 masks to local municipalities, Department of Health and Human Services to distribute to County Service Users & Community Organizations

10 Health Centers Offering COVID-19 Tests

Many locations in city. No health insurance required.

Gov. Evers Announces More Than 5.4 Million Pieces of PPE Distributed So Far in 2022

More than 533,000 pieces of PPE distributed to school districts across Wisconsin this year

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 1,240.7 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “extreme transmission” category.

Wisconsin Sees Record COVID-19 Cases

State health officials report highest ever seven-day-average of cases

Mask Mandate Anticipated To Go Into Effect Saturday

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson signs measure into law. Lasts until Mar. 1.

GOP Bill Cuts Social Safety Net To Boost Hiring

Republican lawmakers would restrict access to healthcare, food assistance and unemployment insurance.

Religious Leaders Urge Vaccinations

But Sen. Ron Johnson isn’t listening.

Evers Administration Continues COVID-19 Testing Efforts, Support

10.9 million COVID-19 tests administered in 2021, including nearly 200,000 tests administered in K-12 schools

Only 10% In State Get Enough Fruits, Vegetables

Survey finds 90% of Wisconsinites don’t get daily recommended value of fruits and vegetables.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 593.2 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “extreme transmission” category.

DHS Now Auto-Importing Positive COVID-19 Test Results

Improves process, ensures most up-to-date data

National Guard Deploying to Hospitals, Nursing Homes

Gov. Evers deploying 210 members in wake of COVID-19 surge.

Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address on Continued Support for Students, Families, and Schools as Omicron Spreads

Gov. Evers and DHS Announce Rate Increase to Help Support Healthcare Workforce in the Midst of COVID-19 Case Surge

Evers Administration, DHS, DPI Remind Schools of Support, Resources Available to Help Keep Kids and Educators Safe in School as Omicron Spreads

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Everyone Ages 12 and Older

DHS also recommends Pfizer and Moderna booster doses at 5 months and an additional primary dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age

State Lawmakers Seek to Weaken Vaccine Mandates

GOP sponsored bill would make natural immunity a substitute for vaccination.

DHS Schedules Listening Sessions to Get Input On How Settlement Funds Should Be Used to Address Wisconsin’s Opioid Epidemic

Virtual sessions start January 12 and are scheduled in regions across the state

DHS Provides Update on Support for Wisconsin’s Health Care System

Placing staff to meet increased demand for health care services during the COVID-19 surge

Wisconsin Receives Oral Antiviral COVID-19 Treatments

Initial supply of molnupiravir and Paxlovid is limited, both drugs require a prescription

ReadyWisconsin urges people to prepare for incoming arctic blast

Hospitals Overwhelmed By Unvaccinated Patients

As omicron surges in state, Advocate Aurora system struggles with staff shortages

Governor Evers and DHS Urge Wisconsinites to Test Their Homes for Radon

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers

DHS Urges Public Health Practices to Keep Kids Safe and in School

Asks parents and guardians to take action as Omicron cases increase

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC Recommendations to Shorten Isolation and Quarantine Periods

Top 8 Capitol News Stories In 2021

And what a strange year it was.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Reminds Wisconsinites of COVID-19 Testing Options

As Omicron cases increase, DHS urges Wisconsinites to get tested before traveling and attending gatherings

Dimitrijevic Offers Plan to Fight COVID-19

Mayoral candidate wants free at-home tests and $100 incentive to get vaccine and booster.

UW System announces new COVID-19 student health care worker initiative

Gov. Evers and DHS Announce FEMA Support for Wisconsin Hospitals

FEMA support will provide critical care to Wisconsinites in the Green Bay area

Pressure Builds on State’s Hospitals

More than 95% of ICU beds are full, one-third of them patients with COVID-19.

Student Pandemic Benefits Approved for 2021-22

Students unable to attend school due to COVID-19 can get money through national school lunch program.

Governor Evers, DHS Mark the One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19 Vaccine Arriving in Wisconsin

More than two-thirds of Wisconsin adults are now fully vaccinated and nearly 90,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received at least one dose.

Sen. Jacque Won’t Discuss Whether Getting COVID-19 Changed His Views

Prior to being hospitalized, he advocated against mask-wearing, vaccine mandates.

La Crosse Lighthouse Peer-Run Respite Opens

A space for healing mental health and substance use concerns

Most Schools Want State COVID-19 Testing

75% of school districts join program, 120,000 tests given so far.

Many Older Teens Eligible for Booster Shots

State officials say those 16 or older who got the Pfizer vaccine should get booster shot.

Rural Hospitals Lose Few Workers Due to Vaccine Mandates

Loss of 20% expected, but actual figure about 2%, survey of state hospitals finds.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for everyone 16 and older

DHS supports the FDA authorization and CDC recommendation to provide a Pfizer booster dose for 16- and 17-year-olds

DHS Awards $8.1 Million in Community Outreach Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

Funds still available for community organizations to support vaccine outreach

Health Care Providers in Limbo After Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate

More than a quarter of state’s nursing home staff haven’t been vaccinated.

87,000 Children In State Now Vaccinated

A minority of 500,000 kids aged 5-11 in Wisconsin. Many parents, even if vaccinated, are hesitant.

First Case of the Omicron Variant Identified in Wisconsin

Governor Evers, DHS urge vaccination and continued public health practices to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant

DHS Provides Update on Omicron Variant

No cases among Wisconsin residents have been identified at this time but investigation is ongoing

Gov. Evers Takes Action on 29 Bills, Vetoes Legislation Restricting Reproductive Healthcare

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s Recommendation of Booster Doses for All Adults