City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week decreased to 29.7 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “moderate transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 test results decreased to 2.0% and remains in the “low transmission” category. Additionally, based on the new CDC guidelines, Milwaukee County remains in the low COVID-19 Community Level.

Currently, 63.6% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated. Additionally, 46.0% of fully vaccinated individuals have received a booster dose. Of children ages 5 to 11, 17.5% have completed their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine series and 22.3% have received at least one dose.

On Thursday, March 10, the Milwaukee Health Department made some minor changes to the COVID-19 services at the Northwest and Southside Health Centers. COVID-19 testing and vaccination at the Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.) remain in the outdoor tent but converted from drive-thru to walk-in services. Individuals can park in the health center’s parking lot and enter the tent on foot for COVID-19 services. COVID-19 vaccines at Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.) transitioned from the former Mill Road Library to inside the health center. COVID-19 testing at that location remains available via drive-thru in the garage. There are no changes at this time to the services at the Menomonee Valley Site. Hours of operation for all three sites remain unchanged and are available on the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 website. Staff is on-site to assist in directing individuals to their requested services.

Sunday, March 13 marks the two-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Milwaukee. Over these challenging and unprecedented two years, Milwaukee has experienced nearly 150,000 positive cases of COVID-19. Devastatingly, 1,086 Milwaukeeans have lost their lives to COVID-19.

The Milwaukee Health Department responded to the pandemic by providing free COVID-19 tests, vaccines, masks, and trustworthy guidance and resources to the Milwaukee community. To date, the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 response staff has administered over 460,000 COVID-19 tests, distributed nearly 505,000 free cloth masks, and over one million free N95 masks.

By means of mass vaccination clinics, mobile vaccination sites, door-to-door canvassing, and at-home vaccination appointments, MHD has administered over 232,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Thanks to strong partnerships with organizations such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers, Summerfest, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Public Schools, and countless places of worship, community centers, and local events, the Milwaukee Health Department has been able to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to residents citywide.

“I am grateful for and proud of the unwavering commitment from our staff to provide services to keep the Milwaukee community safe and healthy,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “The pandemic has deeply affected everyone across the globe. We’re all looking forward to a day when COVID-19 no longer is at the center of our day-to-day decisions, and vaccination is our way forward. The pandemic is not over yet, but we have the tools to get there. Encourage your unvaccinated loved ones to make the life-saving choice to talk to their trusted physician, have their questions directly addressed, and get their COVID-19 vaccine.”

The federal government released more at-home COVID-19 tests this week. Each household is eligible to receive two free sets of four at-home tests to be shipped directly to their home. Those who previously ordered tests through this program can order another set of tests. Orders can be placed at covidtests.gov. Those who need assistance with ordering tests can call 1-800-232-0233 or TTY 1-888-720-7489.

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.