City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The gating metrics continue the same slight decline that began last week. The burden rate decreased to 224.5 cases per 100,000 people and remains in the “extreme transmission” category. This is a slight decrease from 232.5 per 100,000 people last week. The percentage of positive tests is 9.7%, a decrease from 10.4% last week, and remains in the “substantial transmission” category.

Following CDC and Wisconsin DHS guidance, the Milwaukee Health Department began administering an additional third dose of the mRNA vaccine for immunocompromised individuals this past Tuesday, August 17. Additional vaccine doses for those who qualify will be available at the Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.) and Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.) without an appointment.

Earlier this week, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a joint statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for non-immunocompromised people. At this time, booster doses for individuals with normal immune systems, whose immunity may have waned over time, are not recommended, but the CDC anticipates this initiative will begin the week of September 20, according to the statement. The Milwaukee Health Department will adhere to evolving guidance from federal and state authorities.

Bringing first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine remains the top priority for the department. Currently, 52.0% of City of Milwaukee adult residents have completed their vaccination series, and 57.2% have received at least their first dose. To date, the door-to-door vaccination team and community mobilizers have vaccinated 507 residents in their homes.

COVID-19 vaccines will be available at upcoming events such as the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church’s Back to School Fair (2700 W. Brown St.) and BLOC and LIT’s Back 2 School Bash (2308 W. Nash St.) on Saturday, August 21. The team will also bring vaccination to all three days of Mexican Fiesta at Henry Maier Festival Park (200 N. Harbor Dr.), August 27 through 29. A full schedule of upcoming vaccination events can be found at Milwaukee.gov/COVIDvax.

The average daily testing volumes have more than doubled in the past month. This past week, MHD administered an average of 2,115 tests per day. Anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms or has come into close contact with anyone who has received a positive COVID-19 test should get tested. Testing is free and available without an appointment at American Family Field and the Northwest and Southside Health Centers. Due to the Brewers’ game schedule, the drive-through testing site at American Family Field will be closed on Saturday, August 21. For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit Milwaukee.gov/COVIDtesting.

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.