Department of Health Services

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

State Health Officials Await Data On Omicron

Monitoring the emergence of new COVID-19 variant as state hits 11-month high in cases.

Pandemic Surging As Holidays Begin

Wisconsin sixth-worst in nation. Too many haven’t gotten COVID-19 vaccine, officials warn.

Rep.Stubbs’ Statement on Waukesha Parade Tragedy

Federal Funds Help Wisconsinites Get Health Coverage

$2 million ARPA funding to non-profit that helps people sign up for insurance through ACA.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Anyone 18 and Older

DHS supports the FDA authorization, CDC recommendations

Hospitals Relying on Temporary Travel Nurses

Travel nurses work short term contracts, making significantly more than staff nurses.

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Celebrate the Holidays Safely

Provides recommendations to help reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19

Kleefisch Files Suit Against Elections Commission

Asks state Supreme Court to bypass lower courts, order WEC to establish new election rules.

Officials Urge People To Get Flu Vaccine

With mask mandates and social distancing phasing out, surge in flu cases expected.

Don’t Let the Flu Stop You This Holiday Season

DHS urges Wisconsinites to get their flu vaccine ahead of celebrations and to encourage friends and family to do the same

Republicans Again Attack Wolfe, WEC

Rep. Macco calls Wolfe and elections commission “repugnant and insulting” at committee hearing.

Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin to Join the Bloomberg Opioids Overdose Prevention Initiative

Bloomberg Philanthropies expands initiative to five new states, commits additional $120 million to reduce overdose deaths in U.S.

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages 5 to 11

Latinx Medical Students Doing COVID-19 Outreach

Going to south-side churches, fairs, festivals with information about the disease and vaccines.

State’s Recovery From Latest COVID-19 Surge “Painfully Slow”

We aren’t out the woods yet, says Medical College of Wisconsin CEO.

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations to Children Ages 5-11

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine deemed safe and effective for this age group

116 Non-Vaccinated Workers Face Suspension

And possible termination. 95.3% of general city employees complied with vaccine mandate.

Gov. Evers Joins OCI and DHS to Encourage Wisconsinites to Sign Up for Health Coverage During Open Enrollment

State Agencies To Host Virtual Listening Sessions For Wisconsin Environmental Equity Dashboard

Community Listening Sessions To Be Held Nov. 2, 4 And 6

Rep. Robyn Vining Introduces Epi Access Legislation

Gov. Evers Announces $2 Million Investment to Support Mental and Behavioral Health Services for Underserved Wisconsinites

Republicans Vote Against Medicaid Transgender Care

Legislative committee vote keeps Wisconsin out of compliance with a court non-discrimination order.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Booster Doses

DHS supports CDC recommendation to expand eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

DNR To Host Virtual Public Meeting On Special Well Casing Depth Area & TCE Contamination Oct. 27

GOP members of JCRAR show contempt for LGBTQIA+ community with vote to block medical care for transgender patients

Milwaukee Rolls Out Vaccination Promotion For Second Shot

City will pay $25 to 1,000 people to get second shot. More than 23,000 people are currently eligible.

Nursing Home COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Increasing

A report from the AARP shows COVID-19 worsening in senior facilities.

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

Drug Take Back Day is October 23

October 18, 2021

DHS Announces Multiple Funding Opportunities to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities

44% of Eau Claire Wells Closed With PFAS Contamination

City closes seven out of 16 wells after testing for the harmful chemicals.

New COVID-19 Mass Testing Site Opens in Menomonee Valley

New site at a former WisDOT emissions testing site. It replaces American Family Field testing site.

DHS Provides Update on Measles Cases in Wisconsin

Risk of measles transmission in surrounding communities remains low

DHS to Increase COVID-19 Testing Capacity, Relaunches Community Testing Program

The program seeks to increase COVID-19 testing access across Wisconsin

COVID-19 Vaccines Reduced Deaths, Hospitalizations

It says 5,500 infections and 700 deaths among Wisconsin seniors likely prevented.

Gov. Evers Names Leader for State Health Equity Office

Michelle Robinson currently works in the Department of Children and Families.

DHS Continues Investment in Quality Health Care for Rural Areas

DHS Announces the Hire of the Director of the Office of Health Equity

Dr. Michelle Robinson to serve as the first director of the newly formed office

Fake Pills Laced With Fentanyl Fueling Overdoses

Law enforcement finding "unprecedented quantities" of counterfeit pills.

DHS Announces New Electronic Communications to Notify COVID-19 Close Contacts

Contact tracers can now send texts and emails to close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19

DNR To Host ‘Protecting The People – Safe Drinking Water For All’ Webinar Oct. 12

Third Webinar In Series Of Panel Discussions About Safe Water For All