City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

The gating metrics this week showed little change from last week. The burden rate is at 227.2 positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, and remains in the “extreme transmission” category for the fourth week in a row. The percentage of positive tests is 9.2%, a slight decrease from 9.7% last week, and remains in the “substantial transmission” category.

Vaccination rates continue to slowly increase at a rate of approximately 0.5% each week. Currently, 52.7% of Milwaukee adults over the age of 16 have completed their vaccination series, and 57.9% have received at least their first dose.

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. At this time, both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still available under EUA.

Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that Wisconsin residents 12 years of age and older who get their first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine from an in-state vaccinator between August 20 and September 6 can get a $100 Visa gift card. Individuals eligible for this incentive can visit 100.wisconsin.gov and fill out the form to receive their gift.

With an increase of businesses, events, and entertainment venues mandating vaccinations for their employees and guests and continued incentive programs, the percentage of vaccinated individuals in anticipated to continue to climb.

Unvaccinated individuals have numerous opportunities to receive their COVID-19 vaccine this weekend. The Milwaukee Health Department will host a vaccination site at Mexican Fiesta all three days from 12 until 6 p.m. The clinic will be located inside the festival grounds at the Children’s Wisconsin Community Park Children’s Area, located near the mid-gate of the festival grounds.

In addition to the vaccination clinic at Mexican Fiesta, our vaccination team will be out in the community throughout the weekend. On Saturday, August 28, we will be at the MPS Run Back to School event at Wick Playfield from 9 until 11 a.m., the Brentwood Church of Christ Community Day Fair from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Next Door Foundation’s Community Cookout & Resource Fair from 12 until 2 p.m., and at Alverno College from 1:30 until 4 p.m. The full list of mobile vaccination clinics, including hours and addresses, can be found at milwauke.gov/COVIDvax.

“Please remember to mask up when you’re in public spaces or large gatherings, and get tested if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms or come in close contact with anyone who is confirmed or presumed to be positive,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “And most importantly, make sure that you and your loved ones are fully vaccinated. We must all work together to make it to the other side of this pandemic.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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