Live: What To Know April 1 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state continues to grow.

The state Department of Health Services announced Wednesday there are 1,550 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 18,819 negative tests. However, the number continues to grow as counties announce positive cases. According to figures from DHS, 24 people in Wisconsin have died from COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon. That doesn’t include five additional deaths reported in Milwaukee County.

As the response to the virus evolves, Wisconsin Public Radio will be keeping track of up-to-date happenings here, and in our broadcast and online coverage. If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 — either about the virus, prevention or preparation — ask us and we’ll do our best to answer.

For explanations for common questions and additional information about COVID resources, read WisContext’s story listing 10 things to know about the pandemic and public health in the state.

For a compilation of all WPR’s coverage, visit WPR’s Coronavirus In Wisconsin section.

Here are the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Wisconsin:

2:37 PM: State Insurance Commissioner Warns Of COVID-19 Insurance Scams

Wisconsin’s insurance commissioner is encouraging residents to stay vigilant as scammers try to exploit individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner Mark Afable said Wednesday that Wisconsinites need to watch out of COVID-19 insurance scammers. Scammers are offering fake, low-cost coronavirus insurance to cover medical treatments or saying consumers’ health insurance has been canceled and offering a malware link to steal personal information.

According to the Office of Commissioner of Insurance, consumers should hang up robocalls and never disclose personal information.

2:13 PM: Evers Announces Second Package Of Comprehensive Proposals For COVID-19 Relief

The comprehensive legislative proposals would provide critical investments in health services, support for essential workers and give Wisconsin families and businesses some assistance during the pandemic.

“What the federal government has passed is a great start, but I am concerned it does not go nearly far enough,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a statement. “We need to take aggressive legislative steps here in Wisconsin for not only the health and safety of our families and workers, but for our state’s economy.”

“I’m calling on the Legislature to convene without any further delay to take up these proposals supporting our healthcare providers, essential workers, small businesses, and families across our state who need our help during this difficult time,” he continued. “These are unprecedented times, but we must remember that we are all in this together. We need to do everything we can to support those who need it.”

The new package includes establishing a COVID-19 reinsurance program to reduce insurance premiums, provide grant funding for food assistance and meal delivery services, provide grant funding for small businesses and workers, and prohibit utility companies from disconnecting customers.

1:48 PM: DHS Confirms 1,550 Positive Cases Of COVID-19 Statewide

There are now 1,550 positive cases of the new coronavirus in Wisconsin, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The number of positive cases increased by 199 from Tuesday to Wednesday.

According to DHS, 398 people are hospitalized and 24 people in Wisconsin have died of COVID-19. That doesn’t include five additional deaths reported in Milwaukee County.

The number of negative tests rose to 18,819 Wednesday.

1:42 PM: Van Galder Bus Company Suspends Services

Van Galder is suspending all services beginning Friday, April 3 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular bus company, used to shuttle people between Chicago and Madison, said in a Facebook post that service will tentatively resume on May 1.

Van Galder has stops in Madison, Janesville, Beloit, Rockford and Chicago.

1:32 PM: Pick N Save and Metro Market Workers Will Get A Pay Increase

Kroger Co. and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) are increasing pay and benefits for more than 460,000 Kroger grocery workers nationwide.

More than 4,800 of Wisconsin workers at Metro Market and Pick N Save will be receiving the new benefits.

“Working together, UFCW and Kroger have listened to workers and customers across the country to identify the most urgent needs and determine the best way to support these hardworking men and women on the front lines who are serving our communities every day throughout this national crisis,” said Marc Perrone, UFCW international president.

UFCW is the largest food and retail union in the United States. They represent 1.3 million workers in the grocery and retail industries.

Kroger chairman and CEO, Rodney McMullen said their associates have displayed true actions of a hero by making sure people have food and essentials during the pandemic.

“The Hero Bonus is just one more way we continue to convey our thanks and gratitude not only to our existing associates but also to the more than 30,000 new hires who have joined in the past two weeks and those who will soon join the Kroger Family of Companies,” McMullen said.

1:10 PM: 16 People Have Died From COVID-19 In Milwaukee County

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating four more deaths related to the new coronavirus.

According to a tweet from the medical examiner’s office, the four deaths include a 49-year-old male from Milwaukee, a 73-year-old male from Oak Creek, an 89-year-old-male from South Milwaukee and a 78-year-old-female from Milwaukee.

There are now 16 total deaths in Milwaukee County from the new coronavirus.

12:23 PM: Wisconsinites Approve Of Statewide School Closures According to Marquette Poll

About 86 percent of Wisconsin residents support schools and businesses closing to help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ ‘stay-at-home’ order went into effect on March 25 and will stay in place until at least April 24.

About 76 percent said they approved of how Evers is responding to the pandemic and President Donald Trump’s approval rating came in at 51 percent.

11:09 AM: Wisconsin Republicans Support Waiving Unemployment Waiting Period

Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders say they support temporarily waiving a one-week waiting period for people to receive unemployment benefits, the Associated Press reports.

About 240,000 people have filed for unemployment claims since March 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Wednesday that work was ongoing on a legislative aid package that would supplement the federal stimulus that is bringing about $2.3 billion to Wisconsin.

Vos and Fitzgerald both said there was broad support among Republicans who control the Legislature to temporarily waive the waiting period. They say they hope to vote on the bill as soon as possible.

11 AM: Bernie Sanders Issues Statement On Wisconsin Primary

Six days before Wisconsin’s election, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders issued the following statement: “People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote, which is why 15 states are now following the advice of public health experts and delaying their elections.”

“We urge Wisconsin to join them. The state should delay Tuesday’s vote, extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail. While we wait for a decision, we urge our supporters to vote-by-mail,” he said.

A federal judge will hear arguments Wednesday in a case to delay Wisconsin’s April 7 election.

10:37 AM: Gov. Tony Evers Deploys National Guard To Help At Polls

Gov. Tony Evers is deploying the Wisconsin National Guard to help staff polling sites during the state’s presidential primary, the Associated Press reports.

There has been a shortage of poll workers across the state. Over 100 municipalities have reported a lack in staff. Workers are worried about being exposed to the new coronavirus.

A federal judge is set to hear arguments Wednesday in a case seeking to delay the state’s election.

Evers told a federal judge he’ll use Wisconsin Army National Guard members as poll workers, but he also said that staffing could still be short.

10:14 AM: DHS And Riverside Corporate Wellness Launch Remote Health Care Services

The state Department of Health Services and Riverside Corporate Wellness (RCW) have collaborated to create a website, online screening tool and health information call center to help during the pandemic.

Screening services for the new coronavirus on the website will hopefully decrease the number of calls and in-person visits to local hospitals in the state.

Residents will be able to receive recommendations on self-care, guidance on testing and isolation.

“The flexibility and progressiveness of RCW to develop and deploy this resource on a large scale, in mere days, is awe-inspiring,” said Patricia Wszolek, chief operating officer of RCW.

“The ability to provide additional opportunities for employment and technology-based health solutions for public accessibility are crucial to the strength and wellbeing of our community and the entire state of Wisconsin,” she added.

Ten nurses and other licensed health educators have been hired to provide services. RCW will be adding additional positions in the future.

9:53 AM: Walworth County Urging Seasonal Homeowners To Stay At Primary Homes

The Walworth County Division of Public Health is asking seasonal and second homeowners to stay in their primary homes until the end of the Evers administration’s stay-at-home order.

Walworth County Division of Public Health Officer Erica Bergrstom said they’re working with state and federal partners to effectively handle cases in the community.

“Nearly 18 percent of Walworth County residents are over 65, and it is our priority to keep out older residents safe and healthy,” said Bergrstom

The travel guidance is for both in-state and out-of-state travelers.

9:10 AM: Federal Judge Will Hear Arguments In Case Seeking To Delay Wisconsin’s Election

Multiple groups in Wisconsin combined efforts to file a lawsuit to make changes to Wisconsin’s April 7 election.

Those changes included postponing the election date and lifting deadlines and some voting requirements.

A federal judge is set to hear arguments Wednesday.

The arguments come after election officials saw challenges arise across the state including shortages of poll workers and counting ballots.

Gov. Tony Evers and leaders of the Legislature want the election to go on as planned because of the possibility of vacancies in some local government offices.

5:40 AM: Joe Biden Says Democratic National Convention In Milwaukee Could Be Impacted

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is expressing doubts about whether the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee will be held as planned in July, according to the Washington Post.

When Biden, the former vice president and, was asked if he could see the convention happening this summer with the current COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “It’s hard to envision that,” according to the Post.

“We should listen to the scientists,” Biden said. According to the report, Biden said the DNC could postpone the convention.

The convention is scheduled for July 13-16 in downtown Milwaukee. The convention is expected to bring 50,000 people to the city and the surrounding areas.

As WPR previously reported, convention committee officials have said they are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus pandemic and exploring a range of contingency options. Committee officials did not elaborate on their contingency planning.

The Republican convention is Aug. 24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LATE TUESDAY: Wisconsin Receives Second PPE Shipment

Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday that Wisconsin has received its second shipment of personal protective equipment to help health care workers and emergency medical workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Evers said the shipment from the Strategic National Stockpile is being distributed. The supplies are going to medical facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and clinics across Wisconsin, according to the Associated Press.

“We are doing everything we can to get more protective equipment as fast as we can to our health care workers and those on the frontlines to protect them from COVID-19,” Evers said in a statement.

The second phase includes N95 respirators, face masks and shields, surgical gowns, coveralls and gloves.

TUESDAY: Voluntary Self-Isolation Shelters To Open In Madison, Milwaukee On Wednesday

Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that people who show symptoms of COVID-19, but don’t need to go to the hospital can voluntarily self-isolate at two hotels: the Lowell Center in Madison and a Super 8 in Milwaukee.

“These voluntary self-isolation sites help respond to the pandemic in two ways,” Evers said in a statement. “First, they will provide a valuable resource for those who have mild symptoms of COVID-19, leaving valuable hospital space available for others who need it, and they also provide a safe place for people to stay so they don’t spread COVID-19 to others.”

The shelters are open to people with suspected or confirmed cases, and they must be referred by a medical professional or public health official. Their quarantines are expected to last 14 days, or 72 hours after their last symptoms.

TUESDAY: DHS Confirms 1,351 Positive Cases Of COVID-19 Statewide

The number of positive cases of the new coronavirus in Wisconsin rose to 1,351 Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health Services. The number of negative tests was 17,375.

The number of positive test results increased by 130 from Monday to Tuesday.

According to figures from DHS, 16 people in Wisconsin have died of COVID-19 as of Tuesday afternoon. That doesn’t include additional deaths reported individually by counties. Milwaukee County has reported 6 additional deaths, bringing the county’s total to 12.

TUESDAY: Evers Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration in Response To COVID-19

Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter Tuesday to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Wisconsin, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The response to this outbreak has caused multiple deaths, exhausted many of our resources, resulted in record unemployment claims, and taken a toll on the community infrastructure that is in place to protect the public,” Evers wrote in the letter. “We need federal assistance to help rebuild those critical safety nets and ensure they remain strong.”

Resources For Food, Housing Help And More In Wisconsin

Are you in need of food? Do you need someone to pick up groceries? Are you looking for ways to help during the COVID-19 pandemic? WPR is keeping an updated list of resources across Wisconsin. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you can search for services online at 211 Wisconsin, dial 211 on your phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211.