City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 473.6 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “extreme transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests increased to 14.3% and moved into the “extreme transmission” category.

Currently, 60.7% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated and 65.8% have received at least their first dose. Additionally, 31.3% of fully vaccinated individuals have received a booster dose. 6.6% of children ages 5 to 11 have completed their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine series and 12.4% have received at least one dose.

On Monday, December 20, Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued a public health advisory in light of the anticipated surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, which may overwhelm an already strained health care system. To slow the spread of the Omicron variant, DHS is advising all Wisconsinites to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster dose as soon as you are eligible, and wear a well-fitting mask in indoor spaces when others are present who do not live with you.

As we head into Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, the Milwaukee Health Department strongly urges everyone to celebrate safely. Keep gatherings small and in well-ventilated spaces, get tested before gathering with those outside of your household, choose to gather with fully-vaccinated loved ones, and wear a mask if you are in public, indoor spaces. If you experience any symptoms, have come in close contact with anyone confirmed positive for COVID-19, or receive a positive COVID-19 test result, forego your holiday gatherings and stay home.

The Milwaukee Health Department will be observing holiday hours the next two weekends. Milwaukee Health Department offices and services will be closed Friday, December 24 through Monday, December 27 and Friday, December 31 through Monday, January 3. Anyone in need of City services can visit milwaukee.gov/Click4Action, use the MKEmobile app, or call 286-CITY for assistance.

COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, and Menomonee Valley Site will only be closed Friday, December 24 through Sunday, December 26 and Friday, December 31 through Sunday, January 2, resuming services on the subsequent Mondays. Individuals who need COVID-19 services during that time are encouraged to visit HealthyMKE.com to find alternative locations throughout the Milwaukee community.

The deadline to complete the Milwaukee Health Department’s strategic planning community survey has been extended to December 31, 2021. The input received by the Milwaukee community will help the Health Department focus resources and guide future work. Milwaukee community members interested in sharing their thoughts and insights can access the survey at milwaukee.gov/MHDsurvey.

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.