Department of Health Services

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.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Deputy Secretary Willems Van Dijk to Retire

Governor thanks Deputy Secretary Willems Van Dijk for years of service to the state, welcomes Deb Standridge to new role

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Extension of the $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program

More than 65,000 Wisconsinites receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine between Aug. 20 and Sept. 1

Milwaukee Arts Groups Announce Vaccine Requirement

Coalition of performing arts groups requiring COVID-19 vaccination proof or a negative test.

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Mask Up and Follow Public Health Practices Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

7-day average of COVID-19 cases is the highest it has been in more than 6 months

Leaders Celebrate New Mental Health Center

Huge gathering of officials for project lauded as momentous, exciting and historic.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $5.7 Million in Funding for Mental Health Emergency Center in Milwaukee

Investment continues Administration's efforts to ensure state rebounds and recovers from the coronavirus pandemic

UW System nursing, pharmacy students eligible for tuition credit in fall 2021

COVID-19 Surging in Western Wisconsin

La Crosse County has 15-fold increase in cases, hospital beds 90% full.

Take Action To Reduce Algae Blooms In Wisconsin Waterbodies

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Vaccination rates continue to slowly increase at a rate of approximately 0.5% each week

Keeping Kids Safe During Back to School

As cases rise, DHS and DPI urge districts and schools to follow COVID-19 guidance

State Superintendent, Pediatricians Push Universal Masking in Schools

Masking in schools backed by CDC, public health officials and pediatrics associations.

COVID-19 Appeared Earlier Than Previously Thought

First cases in Wisconsin, other states, came in January, not February.

Outreach Efforts Getting More Vaccinated

Health clinics, literacy centers reaching out to immigrants and low-income people.

Nursing Homes Face Dilemma On Vaccine Mandate

40% of state’s long-term care workers not vaccinated. Mandate may push many to quit.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Wisconsin Vaccinators Have Administered 6 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

Over 50 percent of Wisconsinites have completed their vaccine series

Get Vaccinated, Get $100 From State

Gov. Evers announces incentive payment. And FDA issues full authorization for Pfizer's vaccine.

Walk-in Vaccine Event Incentivizes Community Vaccination with High-value Raffle Prizes, Free Meal

Near West Side vaccine event to offer participants a free meal and the chance to enter a raffle for autographed Bucks merch and other prizes to encourage vaccination in the community

Gov. Evers Launches $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program to Encourage Wisconsinites to Get Vaccinated

Wisconsinites will receive $100 by getting vaccinated now through September 6

MPS Reports 53 Cases of COVID-19 in Schools

COVID-19 transmission in the community is showing up in cases at schools.

State Health Officials Expect Current COVID-19 Surge Will Worsen

Surge is driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant and low vaccination rates.

Health Care Providers Preparing For COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Booster of Pfizer and Moderna will likely be available by late September.

DHS Releases New Data on COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Vaccination Status

Data shows the rate of infection much higher amongst individuals who are not fully vaccinated

Wisconsin to Offer Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose to People Who Are Immunocompromised

DHS supports FDA, ACIP recommendations of additional dose of mRNA vaccine to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 608 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered at Wisconsin State Fair

On-site vaccination clinic brings COVID-19 vaccines and free cream puffs to many during Wisconsin State Fair

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 50 Percent of Wisconsinites Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Gov. Evers, DHS urge those eligible who have not gotten the vaccine to do so as soon as possible

Evers Considering Vaccine Mandate for State Employees

The governor expressed support for private sector mask, vaccine mandates.

Gov. Evers Announces Vaccine Clinics, Encourages State Workers and Families to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccination is key to protecting employees and their families from Delta variant

Pandemic Caused Fewer People To Seek Cancer Screenings

Doctors urge people to resume getting screened, accessing medical care.