Ben Weston

Milwaukee County Health Leaders Urge Vulnerable Residents to Protect Themselves with Vaccines Before the End of 2024

Vaccines and Gift Cards Available at Select Events Across Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County EMS Administers First Whole Blood Transfusion in the Field

Wauwatosa Fire Department saves life as a result of newly implemented, County-led initiative

Life-Saving Program Will Provide Blood Transfusions Before Ambulance Gets To Hospital

Milwaukee County is first EMS system in Wisconsin to introduce field blood transfusions.

Milwaukee County Announces New, Innovative Emergency Medical Services Initiative

Prehospital whole blood transfusions will have lifesaving results

State-Funded Leave Behind Program Gives Live-Saving Tools to Opioid Addicts

$500,000 from opioid settlement pays for kits with Narcan and fentanyl test strips.

Crowley Signs Opioid Program Funding

Legislation uses funding from legal settlement to take on opioid addiction epidemic.

County Nearly Doubles Narcan Vending Machines

Adding 8 more machines with free life saving items like narcan and drug testing strips.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces Placement of Eight Additional Harm Reduction Vending Machines

Health Officials Urge Vaccinations Before Kids Go Back to School

Only 79% of MPS students were vaccinated last year.

New Dashboard Shows Where, When Car Crashes Are Happening

Effort part of a larger push to address reckless driving and traffic safety.

County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Taskforce Release New Motor Vehicle Collision Dashboard

Public dashboard displays data on where, when, and why motor vehicle collisions are occurring in Milwaukee County

During American Heart Month, County Milwaukee County Releases Educational CPR Video

Executive Crowley Shares Importance of CPR Education and Bystander Intervention

County Expanding Narcan Vending Machine Program

Officials want to add 8 more in Milwaukee; businesses, nonprofits urged to request one.

Milwaukee County Recruiting Businesses and Organizations to Host Additional ‘Harm Reduction Vending Machines’ to Combat Death from Overdose

VISIT Milwaukee encourages hospitality businesses to consider hosting a machine

Crowley, Medical College Celebrate 50 Years of EMS

Paramedics, now taken for granted, were a new and novel concept in 1973.

Milwaukee County Announces Locations of 11 ‘Harm Reduction Vending Machines’ to Combat Death from Overdose

Narcan Vending Machines Arrive in County

The free-to-use vending machines contain fentanyl testing strips, nasal naloxone and other overdose reduction products.

West Allis Fire Department Offering Medication to Prevent Overdoses

Will offer people buprenorphine, approved by FDA to treat opioid use disorders.

FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill

Wisconsin health officials praise the decision, say it will reduce barriers to accessing contraception.

County EMS Gets Award for Excellence

Emergency Medical Services Division again gets recognized for its handling of cardiac arrests.

Office of Emergency Management EMS Division Recognized Nationally for Cardiac Arrest Response and Care Efforts

Received awards for work to increase bystander intervention and consistent data reporting over the last six years

Feds End COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Vaccines, testing and treatment will remain free only as long as pre-expiration supplies last.

New Froedtert, MCW Program Will Treat Veterans, First Responders

$12.5 million donation from national nonprofit will fund treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

Rising Overdose Deaths From Drugs Cut With Xylazine In Milwaukee

Powerful veterinary sedative, often combined with Fentanyl, causing overdose deaths.

Spike In Deaths Points to Tainted Local Drug Supply

Milwaukee County has averaged one overdose death every four hours since Saturday.

FDA’s Move To Increase Overdose-Reversal Drug Access Could Save Lives

Wisconsin health leaders say over-the-counter Narcan sales will help abate opioid overdose crisis.

Bill Hikes Jail Time In Drug Overdose Cases

Republican bill ups penalty for reckless homicide by delivering drugs to 60 years in prison.

Crowley Promotes Vending Machines To Prevent Opioid Deaths

County to install 25 vending machines with narcan spray, fentanyl test strips and more.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising

Hospitalizations could be an indication of rising transmission.

Why Have So Few Children in County Gotten Updated COVID Vaccine?

Only 2.9% of children ages 5 to 11 have received an updated dose.

Three Respiratory Illnesses Affecting Milwaukee

COVID-19 isn't the only virus going around right now.

COVID-19 Disease Burden Remains Stable

County medical advisor says vaccines holding up well against new variants, but those over 65 should get latest booster shot.

Wastewater Data Shows COVID-19 Uptick

Testing data may not offer complete picture of current disease levels.

New COVID-19 Variants Displace Stable BA.5 Variant, Could Change Transmission Rate

Less than 40% of cases nationwide are now long-dominant Omicron subvariant

New COVID-19 Boosters Available for Children

Top county health official discusses booster safety, urges vaccination.

Rising New COVID-19 Variants A Concern

As the current dominant COVID-19 variant is replaced, the disease will become less predictable.

COVID-19 Increasing In Milwaukee

COVID-19 data shows potential for continued increase in disease. Vaccination, boosters key to what happens next.

Widespread Immunity Key To Fighting Next COVID-19 Variant

Maintaining immunity through vaccination, boosters important before next dominant variant emerges says Dr. Ben Weston.

Boosters, Vaccination Key to COVID-19 Progress

County health policy advisor calls for more people to get new booster.

Milwaukee At Low Level of COVID-19

But vaccination remains key to maintaining gains against the disease says county health leader.

Federally Funded COVID-19 Vaccines Will End. What’s Next?

Cutoff could come by January, leaving county officials worried about impact.

Milwaukee Reflects Nationwide COVID-19 Decline

But new cases among children increased in past week.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Remain High

Even with slight drop in recent weeks, still more than 140 people remain hospitalized.

Many COVID-19 Tests Returning Positive

Testing numbers are low, but a high percentage are positive for disease.

What to Know About Monkeypox

National public health emergency declared in response to outbreak of the virus.

Supervisor Burgelis Seeks to Increase Monkeypox Awareness and Vaccine Distribution

Milwaukee County Has High Level of COVID-19

CDC classifies county as having high level of disease. City reissues mask advisory

State’s COVID-19 Cases Tripled in Last Month

Hospitalizations still low but numbers ‘concerning,’ and only 61% in state fully vaccinated.

Mask Mandate to Remain in Effect for Milwaukee County Transit System

Out of an abundance of caution, for the safety of residents and staff, MCTS will continue to observe mask mandate

COVID-19 Rising Again in State

Numbers still “relatively low,” but percentage of positive tests doubled in last three weeks.

County Executive David Crowley Announces Launch of Overdose Dashboard

County’s Latest Effort to Transparently Share Data, Increase Accountability, and Develop Community-Wide Strategies to Improve Health

COVID-19 Downward Trends Continue

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

COVID-19 Declining to Levels Not Seen In Months

The daily new case average reaches lowest point since July 2021.

COVID-19 Still At High Levels, But Declining

Massive peak in cases from Omicron variant taking some time to come down from.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Deaths Declining

Testing shows that there is still significant disease in community, but trends are headed in the right direction.

Will Wisconsin Schools Lift Mask Requirements?

With the omicron surge past, some districts are already ending mandatory masking.

Milwaukee Likely Past Omicron Peak

Cases down significantly, but fallout of rising hospitalizations and deaths from the surge continues.

COVID-19 Deaths Rising in Milwaukee

In Milwaukee County, 55 people died from COVID-19 during the past seven days.

State Lawmakers Seek to Weaken Vaccine Mandates

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

Omicron Drives County’s Worst Pandemic Surge

'Staggering' surge in cases, hospitalizations 'unprecedented' for Milwaukee, official says.

87% of County Employees Vaccinated

Excluding public safety workers. Vaccination rose 15% among county employees after mandate was instituted.

Pandemic Surging As Holidays Begin

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

COVID-19 Declining Countywide

Key indicators of disease all point to a sustained decline in COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccines Reduced Deaths, Hospitalizations

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

Milwaukee Arts Groups Announce Vaccine Requirement

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

COVID-19 Holding At High Levels

243 people hospitalized in county, hospital beds at 95% capacity, staff shortages an issue.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising in State

Milwaukee's rise may have hit a plateau, but low vaccination rate continues to cause state and local surge.

County Executive David Crowley Announces Dr. Benjamin Weston as Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor

102 Hospitalized With COVID-19 Last Week

The past week saw more than 1,500 new cases.

Public Health Officials Warn Against COVID-19 Misinformation

U.S. Surgeon General called misinformation a "serious threat to public health."

Milwaukee Health Care Systems Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination

Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora, Ascension and Children's Wisconsin are all instituting vaccine requirements for personnel.

Milwaukee Sees ‘Extreme’ COVID-19 Transmission

Hospitalizations statewide have quadrupled over the past month.

Officials Urge a Return to Mask Wearing

Dangerous Delta variant leads to rising cases. Local officials recommend masks at indoor public places.

Will Bucks Celebrations Hike COVID-19 Cases?

Health officials fear a spike could come. Half of county residents are not vaccinated.

City COVID-19 Transmission Higher Than Suburbs

A higher percentage of suburban residents have received the vaccine than the city.

COVID-19 Transmission Surging Countywide

The number of new cases in the county this past week is more than double what the county saw the previous week.

COVID-19 Rising, Delta Variant Blamed

A tripling in new cases per day and positivity rate in Milwaukee, reflecting national trend.

Health Officials Slam Ron Johnson Event

Senator holds roundtable featuring small group of people who suffered side effects from vaccine.

Milwaukee Ends Its Mask Mandate

City mask mandate and capacity restrictions discontinued as public health order allowed to expire.

Milwaukee Area Mass Vaccination Clinics End This Week

The federally-run Wisconsin Center clinic and the county-run Kosciuszko Community Center will administer their last shots this week.

City Mask Mandate Ends June 1st

Following new CDC guidelines, city will allow its health order to expire.

City Resuming Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Wednesday

Milwaukee also using more community clinics to make vaccinations more convenient.

Vaccination Numbers Going Down

Fewer people in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are seeking the vaccine.

Can Education Overcome Vaccine Resisters?

State officials hope to overcome resistance among Republicans, rural residents.

City May Reimpose COVID-19 Restrictions

With cases rising, worried health department officials reevaluating current health order.

New Central City Vaccine Clinics

Residents in 53206 and 53210 ZIP codes can get COVID-19 vaccines at 8 walk-in clinics.

COVID-19 Cases Rising in Milwaukee

County trend reflects a rise in new cases statewide.

State and Local Vaccination Expansions Begin Next Week

City and county will target 10 Milwaukee zip codes for vaccination.

City Expands Vaccine Eligibility

With more vaccine available, health department expands range of people who can get treated at the Wisconsin Center.

City Has More Vaccine For Educators Than Demand

Mayor says Wisconsin Center has 800 vaccine appointments still open for Wednesday.

County Targeting Vulnerable ZIP Codes for Vaccine

County is working to get seniors 65 and older from 53204 and 53206 vaccinated.

8.7% of State Now Fully Vaccinated

Next phase underway. Nation's addition of Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine will speed up efforts.

COVID-19 Continues to Decline

But the rise of new variant raises worries that this won't last.

Fast Spreader COVID-19 Variant In Milwaukee

Arrived a month ago. Study shows variant doubling infections every 10 days in the U.S.

First Moderna Vaccines Arriving This Week

Wisconsin expects approximately 100,000 doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout A Collaborative Effort in Milwaukee

Things are moving quickly, but officials say a best-case scenario is still mid-spring before widespread availability.

Less Testing May Hide Rise In COVID-19

Rising rate of positive tests may show a post-Thanksgiving surge in pandemic, public officials warn.

After Stabilizing, COVID-19 Could Be Rising

COVID-19 cases have trended down in recent weeks. Now signs show it could be heading back up.

Thanksgiving Could Worsen State’s Pandemic

Public health officials offer ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays.

Spread of COVID-19 Accelerating

Hospital systems are being pushed close to their limits.

Get A Free Flu Shot This Week

Free vaccinations available on Wednesday and Thursday.

Barrett Blasts Aurora for ‘Pausing’ Community Testing

They "have a responsibility" to continue partnering with city and county on testing.

COVID-19 Deaths Increasing

The current rate of disease is unsustainable for local hospitals.

COVID-19 Trending Terribly in Milwaukee

Cases are rising and show no sign of slowing down.

More COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations in Milwaukee Now Than Ever Before

Cases and hospitalizations are rising, but not deaths.

The Architecture of a Pandemic

New Miller Park testing site opens Monday at 11 a.m.

Hospitalizations Going Up, Transmission Rate Going Down

Milwaukee still has a high disease burden, but signs of slowing emerge.

3 New COVID-19 Test Sites Include Miller Park

City opening new ones as National Guard testing sites will close October 17th.

COVID-19 Numbers Approaching Recent Peak

Not enough testing being accessed in the City of Milwaukee.

COVID-19 Increasing in Milwaukee County, Again

Data shows a spike in cases and transmission of the coronavirus. Presumed cause is universities.

County Seeing Downward COVID-19 Trend

Major indicators show disease declining in Milwaukee County.

Wisconsin Has Higher COVID-19 Positive Case Rate Than Milwaukee

Long the state leader, Milwaukee County appears to be suppressing disease spread.

Milwaukee County Continues To Suppress COVID-19

COVID-19 is going down locally.

Milwaukee County Currently Suppressing COVID-19

New cases continue to go down as R-value is below 1.

Milwaukee’s COVID-19 Cases, Transmission Rate Dropping

But we can't let up now, or we risk losing what little progress has been made.

Mental Health Services Expanded with Grants

Millions in grants are funding expanded service offerings from the Behavioral Health Division.

Waukesha County Seeing Spike in COVID-19

Sheriff says he won't enforce the mask mandate.

Daily COVID-19 Growth Slowing in Milwaukee County

But deaths and hospitalizations are growing.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Going Up

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

Kowalik Still Resists School Reopenings

City health leader says schools must get approved plan to reopen, with precise rules still to come.

COVID-19 Growing Fastest in Suburbs

Milwaukee County suburbs outpacing city in transmission rate, but both are climbing.

Why Are Bars Still Open?

They are key spreaders of COVID-19. So why are city and county health officials okay with bars being open?

Milwaukee County’s Daily COVID-19 Case Total Rising

Contact tracing shows the summer is melting away physical distancing requirements.

COVID-19 Case Rate Increasing In County

A key indicator changed to red as the positive case rate rises among younger people.

COVID-19 Cases Exploding Among Younger Population

COVID-19 in Milwaukee County appears stable, for now. But the disease remains widespread and is not being suppressed.

COVID-19 Testing Down Significantly

Officials worry about drop in testing here as COVID-19 cases spike across the nation.

Milwaukee County Issues Universal Face Mask Policy in County Facilities

Policy marks critical step in bringing services back to operational and reopening facilities and grounds

Bars and Restaurants Can Reopen Friday in Milwaukee

Revised order will loosen restrictions

How to Protest During a Pandemic

Local health officials offers do's and don'ts that could save your life.

COVID-19 Spreading Faster Out State Than In Milwaukee County

COVID-19 cases are growing slower in Milwaukee County, compared to the WOW counties and the rest of the state.

Hispanics Now Have Greatest Number of COVID-19 Cases in Milwaukee

Also, county's poorest are more than 2.5 times as likely to contract COVID-19.

Report Predicts Second COVID-19 Surge in State

Virus reproducing faster in Wisconsin than all but nine states, British study finds.

Wear A Mask, Public Heath Officials Say

Now that Evers' Safer-At-Home has ended, health officials plead with the public to take precautions on their own.

Milwaukee Releases Five Criteria To Open Up

Barrett and Kowalik have phased plan to reopen city. Revised order allows gyms to open.

Wisconsin Sets COVID-19 Testing Record, Another Hospitalization High

All 72 counties have COVID-19 cases for the first time.

State Sees Biggest Hike In New COVID-19 Hospital Admissions In 30 Days

Testing hits new single-day high, as does the number of new cases.

Amtrak, Buses, Uber Requiring Masks

Train, bus and ride share companies taking various steps to combat the pandemic.

National Guard Tests 1,919 at City Sites

'Phenomenal' response to two COVID-19 test sites yesterday, more guard members had to be added.

Free COVID-19 Testing Sites Will Be at UMOS, Midtown Center

Sites are on border of areas of city with highest number of COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 vs Influenza, They’re Not The Same

In every metric, COVID-19 is a far more dangerous virus, and it will not go away or become manageable without significant intervention.

EMS Calls Show 54% Spike in Drug Overdoses, 80% Increase in Suicide Attempts

Milwaukee County experiencing a death toll beyond the disease itself.

Milwaukee Launching Two Free COVID-19 Testing Sites

Individuals will be able to receive free test without appointment or symptoms.

For Now, Milwaukee Must ‘Learn To Live With’ COVID-19

Local officials dealing with the pandemic look back on past two months of COVID-19.

Milwaukee County Struggling To Pass COVID-19 Peak

After a peak in early April there was a drop in COVID-19 transmission, but the rate again climbed

Racial Equity Ordinance Signed Into Law

First major piece of legislation addressing racial inequity since Milwaukee County declared racism a public health crisis.

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers Draws Praise for Work Addressing COVID-19

Organization provided tests for over two-thirds of cases on south side. Officials say it is slowing spread.

Grants Target COVID-19 Racial Disparities

More than $1 million in grants will fund programs in Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee County Hospitals Increase Capacity

50 percent more hospital beds, double ICU beds as hospitals convert spaces to prepare for the worst.

Construction Starting Soon On State Fair Park Care Facility

Army Corps of Engineers already mobilizing at State Fair Park.

Resist Spring Fever

Practice social distancing, avoid leaving home when possible.

State Fair Park Selected for Overflow Care Facility

Exposition Center will house extra hospital beds. Local leaders requesting state and federal government act quickly.

Milwaukee Prepares for COVID-19 Surge

More hospital capacity, ventilators, protective equipment needed for coming onslaught.

Eight COVID-19 Deaths in Milwaukee’s African American Community

In the City of Milwaukee, the African-American community is facing a crisis.

African-Americans Hit Hard by COVID-19

Majority of cases in the City of Milwaukee are African Americans.

Why Flattening The Curve Matters

Mayor Tom Barrett lays out how Wisconsin could be short by 56,000 hospital beds.

County Asks for Equipment Donations

Help save healthcare workers' lives; donate masks, gloves, disinfectants, safety glasses.

First Responders React To Supply Shortage, Change Operations

Police officers and firefighters are having trouble accessing the personal protective equipment they need.

Milwaukee County Releases Interactive Map of COVID-19 Outbreak

64 cases confirmed in Milwaukee County. Tracker allows public to better monitor outbreak.

COVID-19 Testing Supplies Running Low

State and local officials prioritizing tests for worst cases, so results understate spread of disease.

40 COVID-19 Cases in Milwaukee County

Up 67% since yesterday. Abele favors moving back the spring election.

Milwaukee Officials Ask Public to Stay Home, As Much as Possible

As cases of COVID-19 grow in Milwaukee County and the state, preventive measures now will save lives in the future.

Milwaukee County Updates Regarding COVID-19

Milwaukee County Parks and the Zoo will close effective this weekend until further notice