City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week declined to 181.6 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “excessive transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests decreased once again to 6.9% and moved down to the “moderate transmission” category.

In an effort to encourage individuals who have not yet returned for their second dose, the Milwaukee Health Department announced a new incentive program, which launched on Thursday, October 21. Any

City of Milwaukee individual who receives their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, or Menomonee Valley Site will receive a $25 U.S. Bank gift card on site, while supplies last. Currently, 58.0% of City of Milwaukee residents 16 years of age and older have completed their COVID-19 vaccination series, while 63.1% have received at least one dose. More information about the incentive program at Milwaukee.gov/2ndDoseIncentive.

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation, the Milwaukee Health Department will begin administering booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to the previously-approved Pfizer booster vaccine, for certain identified populations, pending approval from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

The Moderna booster vaccine will soon be available at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, and Menomonee Valley COVID-19 site for certain populations who have increased risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19, at least six months after having received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson booster vaccine will be available for individuals ages 18 and over who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months prior.

Once the booster doses are approved for use, they will be available at the MHD vaccination sites without an appointment. More details regarding eligibility can be found on the Wisconsin DHS website. Questions about the booster can be directed to the COVID-19 Hotline at 414-286-6800.

Next week, the mobile vaccination team will continue their effort to bring vaccine to Seton Catholic Schools, including St. Rafael, Northwest Catholic School, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, St. Charles Borromeo School, Prince of Peace, and St. Catherine, to vaccinate any students, staff, family members, or community members. The full mobile vaccination site schedule is at Milwaukee.gov/COVIDvax.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.