City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week increased to 147.4 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “high transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 test results is 8.1% and moved into the “substantial transmission” category. Additionally, based on CDC guidelines, Milwaukee County moved into the Medium COVID-19 Community Level.

“This increase, while a reminder this virus is still very present in our community, is not a cause for alarm,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “This virus is dynamic and unpredictable. Because of its contagious nature, our behavior affects everyone around us. It’s imperative we implement multiple layers of protection, such as vaccine, masking, physical distancing, and air ventilation to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe.”

Currently, 64.5% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated, and 48.2 % of fully vaccinated individuals have received a booster dose. Of children ages 5 to 11, 19.7% have completed their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine series and 24.0% have received at least one dose.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8, and many families will gather together to celebrate the moms in their lives. To keep mom healthy and gather safely, follow health guidance:

• Ensure everyone is up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
• If possible, gather outside or open windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
• Consider wearing a mask to protect anyone who is at a high risk for severe illness.
• Test before gathering and only gather with those who are negative for COVID-19.
• Stay home if you are symptomatic or have come in contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

As the weather in Milwaukee warms up, opening windows to bring fresh air inside is an effective tool to make indoor spaces safer. Research shows changing the air in a room multiple times an hour with filtered or clean outdoor air can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by up to 50 percent. The tiny airborne particles infected with the virus can remain in indoor air for minutes or hours after an infected person has been there. Bringing clean, outdoor air inside disperses those particles and lowers the risk of people inhaling them or getting infected through their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 sites are open Monday through Saturday at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, and Menomonee Valley Site for free COVID-19 tests and vaccines without an appointment. Hours of operation available on the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 website.

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.

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