Julie Willems Van Dijk

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 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.

Public Health Officials Warn Against COVID-19 Misinformation

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

Growing Case Activity and Circulation of Delta Variant Prompt Updated CDC and DHS Guidance

Vaccination and mask guidance are best response tools for an evolving situation

Will Bucks Celebrations Hike COVID-19 Cases?

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

State Ranks 41st In Public Health Spending

Some hoped pandemic might prompt action on this. Not so far.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Climbing Again

No surge but worrisome. Still many areas with ‘painfully low' vaccination rates.

State Officials Target COVID-19 Delta Variant

New tool offers better tracking of vaccinations rates. ‘This variant is less forgiving.’

Will Face Masks Remain Post Pandemic?

Some health professionals think face coverings are here to stay.

Schools Can Offer Free COVID-19 Tests

State DHS using federal funds to provide public and private schools free testing supplies.

DHS Community-Based Vaccination Clinics to Begin Ramping Down Operations

Multiple COVID-19 vaccination options continue to be available

DHS Updates COVID-19 Summary Data Page

New dashboard displays key COVID-19 metrics and utilizes improved data

State Approves COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids 12 and Older

Adolescents and younger teenagers can now get the vaccine in Wisconsin.

Officials Push To Vaccinate Kids 12 to 15

Could help get to herd immunity, officials across state sending consent forms to parents.

Church Leaders In State Promote Vaccine

Religious groups urge people to get the shot for COVID-19, especially those left behind.

DHS Reaffirms that Every Wisconsinite Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine

People without an ID or insurance should not be turned away

New COVID-19 Variants Behind Spiking Cases

Variants now account for more than half of all new cases of COVID-19.

DHS Releases New COVID-19 Variant Trackers

Updates include tracking newly classified variants of concern and displaying information by HERC region

Can Education Overcome Vaccine Resisters?

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

Medical Boards Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination

Chiropractic Examining Board differs from medical boards and just encourages colleagues to get vaccinated.

DHS Releases Guidance for Spring and Summer Activities

Updated recommendations for planning and attending events are now available

Vaccines For Age 16 and Up Coming Before May 1

Broad rollout of vaccine eligibility will be moved up sooner says top state health official.

State Leads Nation Dispensing Vaccines

Wisconsin has used 88% of its vaccine allotment, top rate of any state in the nation.

16% of State Fully Vaccinated

State continues to ramp up vaccination. Milwaukee pushing resources into community clinics.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Community-Based Vaccination Clinic in Marathon County Opens April 6

Fourth DHS community-based vaccination clinic to open

State Expands Disease Surveillance for COVID-19 Variants

DHS finds more long-term care deaths after reviewing its data.

11.5% of State is Fully Vaccinated

Vaccine will be available to the general public by May 1st.

A Return to Normalcy?

Experts consider when we’ll get to a post-pandemic world and what that will look like.

DHS and Laboratory Partners Identify Variant Strain B.1.351 of SARS-CoV-2 in Wisconsin

8.7% of State Now Fully Vaccinated

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

Will There Be Enough Vaccines For Teachers?

As of Monday they can get vaccinated. But supplies likely to fall short.

State Creates 4 Community Vaccine Clinics

In Racine, La Crosse and Marathon counties. Any eligible state resident can register to get vaccine.

State Vaccination Rate Increasing

Weekly federal allocation increases. 6.3% of state now completely vaccinated.

State Vaccine Registry To Start March 1

Online tool will allow people to schedule shots, get on waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine.

State Passes 1 Million Vaccine Doses

More than 4% of the state's population have completed the two-dose vaccination program.

State Says Health Department Needs Improvement Plan

MHD is in trouble, but the blame goes back four commissioners.

3% of State Residents Fully Vaccinated

More than 793,000 doses administered, and pace will increase as supplies to Wisconsin increasing.

Suburban Mayors Push State on Vaccine Numbers

Complaints of too few doses supplied and not enough information.

Republican COVID Callousness

Legislators wrong to criticize inmates getting the vaccine when prison infection rates are so high.

Far More Women Getting Vaccines

Nearly 10% of women and just 5.2% of men in Wisconsin have gotten at least a first dose.

Nearly 2% of State Population Vaccinated

Some 570,000 doses administered. Low supplies still constricting vaccinations.

State Launching Vaccine Appointment Website

It launches in February. Anyone can sign up, those ineligible will go on wait list.

Bucks VP Alex Lasry Gets Vaccinated by “Pure Happenstance”

Lasry offered vaccine by wife's uncle when doses were close to expiring.

DHS Expanding Vaccinators for Assisted Living Facilities

DHS is partnering with independent pharmacies, local health departments to hasten rollout.

State Announces Next Phase of Vaccines

More groups will be added on March 1. President Biden ramping up federal vaccines delivered to states.

DHS Announces Groups Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Tentatively Beginning March 1

Focuses on vulnerability and exposure risk of COVID-19

DHS Releases Enhancements to COVID-19 Data Disease Activity Dashboard

Offers new and improved case activity features

Assembly Bill Seeks to Vaccinate Everyone

Would overrule health officials, who say making everyone eligible would overwhelm limited vaccine supply.

Vaccines for Senior Citizens Start Soon

As of January 25, people 65 and older can get vaccinated. State committee still finalizing other recommendations.

State Losing Top Health Official To Biden Administration

Andrea Palm named deputy secretary of Department of Health and Human Services.

Wisconsin Creating Mobile Vaccination Teams

Effort to be initially targeted at first responders.

State Prepares for Next Phase of Vaccines

Priority list for phase 1b has been established. But will the federal government deliver enough doses?

Evers Joins 7 Governors Asking for More Vaccine

Governors say the federal government is holding back 50% of produced vaccine.

Contact Tracing Effort Is Far Behind

COVID-19 cases rising too fast, state would need 20-fold increase in tracers to keep up.

State Officials Prepare for COVID-19 Vaccine

Looking for facilities with ultra-cold freezers.

High Court Reviews Evers’ Emergency Powers

6 months after killing governor’s Safer-At-Home order, state Supreme Court to rule on his mask mandate.

7,777 New COVID-19 Cases, Another Record High

Record daily hospitalization and death averages

Hospitals, Nursing Homes Facing Staff Shortages

When healthcare workers contract COVID-19 it exacerbates existing staff shortages.

Gov. Evers and DHS Ask Wisconsinites to Celebrate Holidays Safely

Avoiding in-person gatherings with those outside your household will slow the spread of COVID-19

Record 7,497 New COVID-19 Cases As Hospital Capacity Dwindles

58 deaths pushes 30-day average to 33.57

65 Counties Have “Critically High” COVID-19 Levels

State unveils new designation, and for the second time has a new way to say COVID-19 is at dangerous and growing levels.

DHS Adds “Critically High” Category to Disease Activity Dashboard Showing Impact of COVID-19

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, DHS launches new features on its COVID-19 data pages

State Officials Prepare for COVID-19 Vaccine

Encouraging health providers to enroll in state’s vaccine program.

New Federal Grant Supports Extension and Expansion of Project Recovery

Program offers behavioral health supports

DHS Launches Provider Enrollment for COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Health care providers encouraged to enroll as early as possible

New Groundwater Standards Proposed

State officials recommend standards for 16 PFAS chemicals and 6 pesticides.

State Agencies Announce Additional Groundwater Quality Standard Recommendations

DHS has now completed review of 40 substances

COVID-19 Facility at State Fair Park Opens

Alternative care facility fielding calls from hospitals across state looking to transfer patients.

Getting a Flu Vaccine Now is Critical During Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

DHS Encourages State Residents to Get Flu Vaccinations by Halloween

Baldwin Rebukes Trump Admin Over Testing Shortages

Local healthcare company Aurora has recently started rationing COVID-19 tests.

More Than 220,000 Wisconsin Households to Receive Additional FoodShare Benefits for July and August in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

More Than 220,000 Wisconsin Households to Receive Additional FoodShare Benefits for July and August in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Evers Says No Statewide School Re-Opening Plan

School districts will be responsible for decisions about re-opening.

Federal Grant to Address Behavioral Health During COVID-19 Pandemic

Funding to support services offered by county and community agencies

Five of Six Badger Bounce Back Critieria Have Green Light

Testing totals should soon surge as a result of Wisconsin National Guard collections.

State Makes Progress on Bounce Back Plan

Two of six criteria have now been met. More work remains before state can reopen.

The State’s 1918 Pandemic Shutdown Worked

Milwaukee was one of four cities with lowest rate of disease, at least 30% lower than most cities.

Evers Administration Seeks to Save Lives, Stop Republican Lawsuit

Wisconsin Needs 600 Contact Tracers

State making progress on hiring and training, but still short of 1,000 person goal.

At Least 40 COVID-19 Cases Tied to Election in Milwaukee

Number up five-fold from Monday, final report still pending.

Why Aren’t More COVID-19 Tests Given?

More available now, but other factors may limit use, says Department of Health Services official.

State Launches Programs To Aid Business

Loan and grant programs intended to provide bridge for businesses hurt by pandemic.

19 Cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin

Two in Milwaukee County. State’s total up to 19 as of Friday

State Health Agency’s New Data Tool Shows a Decline in the Number of Opioid Deaths in Wisconsin

The 838 deaths reported in 2018 is a 10 percent reduction from the year before

Department of Health Services, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Work to Make Groundwater Cleaner

DHS Has Sent New Groundwater Recommendations to DNR

DNR and DHS Work Together to Improve Water Quality in Wisconsin

This week the DNR worked with Department of Health Services to ask the health agency to review 40 contaminants for possible groundwater quality standards.

Include Children’s Immunizations on Your Spring Break Schedule

Vaccine preventable diseases can put the brakes on your spring break plans