City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – This week, Milwaukee County remains in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. This level is determined by three metrics: new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.

In Milwaukee County, the case rate per 100,000 population is 119.06. This includes the city of Milwaukee’s rate of 89.3 per 100,000. There have been 11.6 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population and 4.5% of staffed inpatient beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19. Additional metrics, such as case burden and percent positivity, are accessible on MHD’s COVID-19 data dashboards.

Currently, 65.6% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated. All Milwaukeeans 6 months and older are eligible for the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and should prioritize getting vaccinated if they have not yet. To be eligible for the updated COVID-19 booster, you must have completed the primary series. At this time, 35.5% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older have received at least one booster dose.

All COVID-19 testing sites supported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have shifted to a new model of testing that uses antigen tests first to provide rapid results to individuals. The Milwaukee Health Department’s community testing site at the Menomonee Valley Drive-Thru is one of the sites that has transitioned to proctored rapid antigen tests. Confirmatory PCR tests will be provided to individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms but receive a negative antigen test. To expedite the process, individuals can register online for their test before arriving.

Trick-or-Treat in the city of Milwaukee will take place this Sunday, October 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. To make sure you and your little ones can enjoy a safe holiday, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Wear a mask – and not just a spooky one!
  • Make your well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask part of your costume.
  • A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a filtration face covering.
• Carry hand sanitizer and sanitize often after touching objects or other people.
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Trick or Treat with your household only.
  • Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other Trick-or-Treaters.
  • Wait your turn before approaching a house to avoid gathering in small spaces.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.
• If you are sick or have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, stay home.
  • Celebrate the holiday by putting on a Halloween movie and enjoying some sweets from your couch.

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.