Department of Health Services

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

DHS Encourages Flu Vaccination: Protect Yourself and Those Around You

Flu vaccines are now available in Wisconsin

Vaccination of North Side Youth Lags Behind County Average

High school students discuss the vaccine, hesitancy and school during COVID-19.

Confirming Evers’ appointments too little, too late

State DHS Approves COVID-19 Booster

Senior citizens who got Pfizer shot should get booster, as should some groups with underlying conditions or greater exposure.

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Booster Doses

DHS supports the FDA authorization, CDC recommendation to provide Pfizer booster doses to certain populations

Local Orgs Join State to Remove Lead from Milwaukee Homes

Social Development Commission and Habitat for Humanity will assist in renovation of 150 homes.

State Sen. Jacque Released From Hospital

Opponent of masks and vaccine mandates spent three weeks on a ventilator.

City Offers $100 Vaccination Incentive

Health department will pay up to 1,000 people to get their first COVID-19 vaccination.

More Than 142,000 People Receive First Dose Between August 20 and September 19

DHS encourages Wisconsinites who received their first vaccine dose between August 20 and September 19 to claim their $100 reward by September 30

DHS Connect Fully Implemented

Comprehensive electronic health records system in use at all seven state facilities

FoodShare Benefits Will Increase in October

A breakdown of benefits, what you need to know.

UW System Vaccination Rates Vary Widely

91% of UW-Madison students vaccinated, versus just 38% at UW-Parkside.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Coggs Center Welfare Office Resumes Full-Time Hours

Limited hours made it difficult to access services like FoodShare, childcare subsidies.

State Has Troubling Maternal and Infant Racial Health Disparities

Health officials say systemic problems that cause worse outcomes for Black mothers and babies need to be addressed.

Gov. Evers, DHS Remind Wisconsinites to Get Vaccinated to Get $100

Wisconsinites who receive their first dose August 20 through September 19 are eligible to receive the reward

American Family Field COVID-19 Testing Site Closing

Brewers playoff run requires team to use parking lot.

Nursing Home Workers Resist Vaccines

38% in state unvaccinated though long-term care facilities have high rate of COVID-19 deaths.

College Students’ Pot Use At Historic High

Drinking less, smoking more. 44% reported using marijuana.

Gov. Evers Announces $58.4 Million Investment in Local COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery

Local and tribal health departments receive funding from American Rescue Plan Act

State Business Groups Oppose Vaccine Mandate

Biden order places “burden” on businesses, says leaders of WMC and MMAC.

Milwaukee Planning Its Own COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive

New program will replace expiring state effort. Employer mandates expected to boost interest.

Federal and State Officials Advise Wisconsinites That Making or Buying Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Cards is Illegal

DSPS Launches Workforce Study with Dentist and Dental Hygienist Renewals

Nicole Safar to Helm Law Forward

As Redistricting Debate Heats Up, Key Player Hires First Full Time Executive Director

Deer Liver PFAS Surveillance Results Now Available

State Lags In Using HIV Prevention Drug

Small percent of Wisconsin’s vulnerable population taking the highly effective drug.