City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 40.7 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 is 2.7% 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, 64.2% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated, and 47.6% of fully vaccinated individuals have received a booster dose. Of children ages 5 to 11, 19% have completed their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine series and 23.4% have received at least one dose.

In observance of the Easter weekend, the Milwaukee Health Department offices will be closed on Friday, April 15. Additionally, COVID-19 services at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, and Menomonee Valley Site will be closed Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17. Individuals in need of COVID-19 testing or vaccination services this weekend should visit HealthyMKE for additional sites throughout the Milwaukee area.

Those who choose to gather with family and loved ones this Easter weekend should take necessary safety precautions, such as wearing a well-fitted mask, visiting with loved ones outdoors when possible, taking a COVID-19 test before gathering, or forgoing gatherings out of an abundance of caution. The Omicron variant is still prevalent in our community, and the BA.2 variant is even more transmissible. Gathering with those outside your household can often create an opportunity for the virus to spread. Keep your loved ones safe and healthy by implementing COVID-19 safety practices into your holiday celebration.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR) has renewed the National Public Health Emergency (PHE) Order, effective April 16. This extension will be in effect for another 90 days, at which point it can be renewed or expired. The continuation of the PHE provides the ability to streamline and increase the accessibility of healthcare. The goal is to ensure sufficient health care items and services are available to meet the needs of individuals, such as continued federal focus and funding for COVID-19 vaccination and testing support.

Although the federal government’s COVID-19 Uninsured Program recently announced it will no longer accept claims for the reimbursement of costs associated with administering COVID-19 tests or vaccines to uninsured and underinsured individuals, Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) assured residents that COVID-19 vaccines in the State of Wisconsin will remain free, regardless of insurance coverage status. The Milwaukee Health Department strongly recommends everyone five years of age and older receive their COVID-19 and booster dose when eligible. Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 sites have vaccine available without an appointment, six days per week, at three sites. Visit Milwaukee.gov/covidvax for hours and locations.

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.