Live: What To Know March 18 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

The spread of COVID-19 continues in Wisconsin. As of Wednesday afternoon, the state Department of Health Services announced 106 positive cases, along with 1,577 negative tests. The 106 figure did not include at least two new cases that were announced just before DHS updated its figures, bringing the total to at least 108.

Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers mandated the ban of gatherings of 10 or more people. He also called for all restaurants and bars to be closed.

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:

3:45 PM: Democrats Sue To Change Election Laws Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Democratic National Committee filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the state Elections Commission calling for changes to Wisconsin election laws amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The groups are pushing for several changes to state election laws as voters and election officials grapple with the virus’ spread. Their lawsuit calls for:

• Wisconsin’s March 18 deadline for online and mail voter registration to be extended until April 3.
• The deadline for election officials’ receipt of mail-in absentee ballots to be moved from 8 p.m. Election Day to 10 days after the election, as long as the mailing was postmarked by Election Day.
• The state to suspend its voter ID law for mail-in ballots and its requirement to provide proof of residence for online or mailed voter registration.

3:24 PM: US Sen. Ron Johnson Votes No On Emergency Funding For Coronavirus Outbreak

Wisconsin’s U.S. senators split on the latest round of emergency funding for the new coronavirus outbreak, similar to how the state’s House delegation voted last week on the package.

The U.S. Senate approved the bill 90-8 Wednesday.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted with the majority, while Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, voted no.

Johnson had pushed to amend the bill, saying that under the original House version “laid-off workers will get far less from state benefits, and many employers will be forced to shoulder a financial burden they cannot afford.”

The bill now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

2:05 PM: DHS Website Says 106 Confirmed Cases Identified In Wisconsin

The state Department of Health Services’ website said Wednesday at 2 p.m. there were 106 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wisconsin. That total did not include two positive tests, one from Walworth County, which is its first, and another from La Crosse County, which was its second.

1:23 PM: After Doctor Tests Positive, Children’s Hospital Milwaukee Testing Patients, Staff For COVID-19

Children’s Wisconsin is now testing 200 patients and staff after a doctor there contracted COVID-19.

A hospital official told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel testing began Tuesday. About 10 of those being screened are hospital patients; the rest are staff.

The hospital is also contacting additional patients who may have come in contact with the doctor.

The Journal Sentinel reports the doctor said he “discovered he picked up the virus while traveling outside of Wisconsin.”

1:22 PM: Walworth, Brown Counties Confirm First COVID-19 Cases

Walworth and Brown counties have their first confirmed cases of COVID-19.

In Walworth County, a person traveled domestically and self-isolated when they got back after being advised to do so by the Walworth County Division of Public Health, according to a county Facebook post.

In Brown County, a person traveled domestically and has remained in self-quarantine, according to a Brown County Public Health Division Facebook post.

The Walworth County Division of Public Health and Brown County Public Health Division have said they will directly notify close contacts of any identified cases.

1:14 PM: Eau Claire County Health Department Reports More Than 50 COVID-19 Samples Sent To State Lab Of Hygiene

During a press conference Wednesday, Eau Claire City-County Health Department Director Lieske Giese said the county has submitted more than 50 test kits but that “a number are pending.”

“Of those results that we’ve seen, they have all been negative,” said Giese. “As I said earlier, a number are pending based on the State Lab of Hygiene yesterday announcing that they are prioritizing testing for high-risk populations.”

Giese said because of shortages of supplies used in analyzing COVID-19 samples those coming from people considered low-risk will likely be put to the bottom of the list.

1:05 PM: La Crosse County Confirms First COVID-19 Cases, Temporarily Closes Public Services

La Crosse County officials confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus in southwestern Wisconsin.

County Health Department Director Jen Rombalski said both confirmed cases are females in their upper 20s to 40s. She said neither case had a travel history that would have indicated testing, but one of the individuals does live with someone who had recently traveled to an affected area.

“We do believe that others in those households have symptoms and will likely be determined as presumptively positive cases as well,” Rombalski said.

She said current guidelines do not necessitate testing every household member showing symptoms. Those individuals will be presumed to have the new coronavirus because they’ve been living with a confirmed case.

Rombalski said the affected individuals are in isolation at their homes and have not been hospitalized for their symptoms. She said the county is working to identify other individuals who may have been exposed but officials are anticipating new cases will be confirmed.

“There are a lot of people that are being tested,” Rombalski said. “So with all of those being tested, we do anticipate that out of some of those tests, we’re going to get some positive.”

Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System are both offering drive-up testing clinics in the La Crosse area for suspected COVID-19 patients. Health officials are urging the public to call ahead to be pre-screened for symptoms because of the limited supply of testing kits.

La Crosse County officials also announced the county is suspending all walk-in services starting Thursday. That includes the county’s health and human services building and public libraries.

Associate County Administrator Jane Klekamp said services will still be available over the phone and online. The county law enforcement center and county courthouse will remain in operation.

Klekamp said the county will reopen services under a new design to limit person-to-person contact starting on Tuesday.

11:43 AM: ACLU Of Wisconsin Demands Inmates Be Released From Prisons, Jails

The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote a letter to Gov. Tony Evers and local officials asking for the release of jail and prison inmates who are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

The letter also asks for: law enforcement to change its arresting practices and keep facilities clean; prosecutors to avoid requesting cash bail and instead ask for release; judges to allow defendants to voluntarily waive an upcoming hearing or conduct that hearing by telephone or video; probation and parole agents to expedite and expand release opportunities for incarcerated people.

11:40 AM: Madison Water Utility Exempts Late Fees

People in Madison who don’t pay their water bill on time won’t be charged a late fee for the foreseeable future, Madison Water Utility announced.

“We recognize that for many of our customers, this is a time of enormous personal and financial stress, so we are working to do what we can to minimize that stress in the days and weeks ahead,” the announcement states.

The utility added that it does not disconnect people who make late payments.

10:35 AM: Milwaukee Public Market Closes Doors

The Milwaukee Public Market announced Wednesday morning it is closing its doors to the public effective immediately and until further notice.

In a series of tweets, the market said vendors are exploring delivery services and curbside pickup, and information on that will be available in the “coming days.” Vendors are also planning to donate existing food and other products to many of their employees, first responders and food pantries.

10:35 AM: Packers Extend Payment Deadline For Season Ticket Holders, Brown County Residents

The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday they’ve extended the payment deadline to June 1 for 2020 season ticket holders and Brown County residents who won the ability to purchase tickets through the team’s lottery.

Season ticket payments were originally due March 31. The team said the move is intended to help those affected by the new coronavirus outbreak.

10 AM: PrideFest Postponed

PrideFest, Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQ event, is postponing its four-day festival that was to take place beginning June 4 at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee.

The announcement is the latest in a wave of large event cancelations and postponements due to the developing COVID-19 situation. This is the first time PrideFest has been postponed in its history.

“It’s unfortunate that we need to hit the pause button, considering the significant work our team has already put forth – as well as the incredible and diverse line up we had planned for our stages,” PrideFest producer Luke Olson said in a written statement. “I’m confident that once we have a new plan for this year’s festival we’ll be able to pick things up where we left off.”

The Milwaukee Pride Board of Directors are working with Summerfest on possible alternate dates. The board is also exploring the possibility of different formats and locations.

8:10 AM: Target Reducing Hours, Reserving Shopping Times For People At High Risk

Effective Wednesday, Target is reducing hours and closing all stores by 9 p.m. daily to help clean the stores and restock items.

The first hour of shopping every Wednesday at every Target will be reserved for those who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19, that includes older adults and people with underlying health conditions, the company announced Wednesday.

The company is also increasing staff for drive up and order pickup, two options that support social distancing.

The Minnesota-based company also said it’s “fast-tracking the flow of products that are in highest demand, including food, medicine and other essentials.” It will continue to maintain limits on items that are the most in demand.

7:19 AM: Winter Farmers Markets Closing

The Dane County Farmers Market Late Winter Market is closed until further notice.

According to a Wednesday morning email, market members “have sprung into action offering new and expanded on-farm pick-up, home delivery, and e-commerce options.”

More information on that can be found here.

The email made no mention of the market’s regular season.

Earlier this week, the Janesville Farmers Market canceled its final winter market date of April 4.

The market created a Facebook page where vendors can post available items and delivery options.

6:30 AM: ESPN Projection Picks Wisconsin As March Madness Champion

Efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus have essentially halted athletic competition in the U.S. The NCAA announced last week it was canceling all championships through the end of the academic year. That included March Madness.

That’s why ESPN basketball experts stepped in to run a projection of how the tournament would have played out. Their simulated champion: the Wisconsin Badgers.

ESPN had the Badgers entering the tournament as a four seed. The projection picked Wisconsin, Maryland, BYU and Virginia to make the Final Four, with the Badgers topping the BYU Cougars in the title game.

LATE TUESDAY: Madison Metro Transit Reducing Service

Beginning Wednesday, capacity of Madison Metro buses will be limited to 15 people plus the driver. Metro Transit is asking people only use the bus for essential trips like travel to work, doctor’s appointments, and grocery shopping.

Beginning Monday, Metro Transit will be reducing service by following Saturday schedules all seven days of the week. Exceptions to this are the 55, 75, 44, 48, 49, 23 and 72 routes, as well as the Wisconsin campus routes.

Metro Transit will selectively increase the number of buses on routes with high ridership, in order to accommodate demand while still maintaining only 15 passengers per bus.

Paratransit will remain unchanged.

LATE TUESDAY: ICE Detainees Moved Out Of Kenosha County

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has moved all ICE detainees out of the Kenosha County Detention Center as part of its COVID-19 response, according to the Kenosha News.

The 170 ICE detainees were moved from the facility on March 15, taken by bus to other facilities, according to the department.

The Sheriff’s Department has not said where the detainees have been transferred.

“ICE detainees have come into the U.S. from around the world and the risks for bringing in new detainees to our jail facilities are far too great at this time,” the Sheriff’s Department said, according to a statement given to the Kenosha News.

The department has housed detainees at KCDC since 2000 under a contract with the U.S. Marshals Service, and the department was paid a daily rate for each person in ICE detention.

LATE TUESDAY: 40 Confirmed Cases In Milwaukee County

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Milwaukee officials said the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Milwaukee County is at 40, with 13 in Milwaukee and 27 in the surrounding suburbs.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon state health officials said there were 24 cases in the county. Milwaukee officials said 40 cases during a call with media after the state update ended.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said results can come in after the state provides its update earlier in the day, the Journal Sentinel reported.

LATE TUESDAY: Malls Across Wisconsin Closing

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, Madison’s East Towne and West Towne malls closed until further notice, according to each mall’s respective Twitter accounts.

The Janesville Mall also closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will remain closed until further notice. The announcement on the mall’s website states “Big Box and Department Store hours may vary.”

The closures are in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and Gov. Tony Evers’ and the state Department of Health Service’s order. On Tuesday state officials banned gatherings of 10 people or more.

During the closure certain restaurants may remain open for curbside pick-up or delivery services only, according to the mall announcements.

LATE TUESDAY: Kohl’s Cutting Back Store Hours, Ulta Beauty Closing Stores

Kohl’s Corp. is cutting back their hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The new hours began Tuesday, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.

The Menomonee Falls-based company said it will also honor local and regional business restrictions, meaning Kohl’s hours will vary across the state.

There are at least 38 Kohl’s stores in Wisconsin.

Ulta Beauty announced late Tuesday evening it is closing all of its stores from 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19 to at least Tuesday, March 31. There are at least 19 Ulta stores in the state.

TUESDAY: WEDC Officials To Seek Federal Disaster Loans For Businesses

Officials with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and Wisconsin Emergency Management announced Tuesday they’re working with the state office of the Small Business Association to obtain federal disaster loans for Wisconsin businesses.

Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO, said in a news release that they’re “committed to ensuring that businesses get the assistance they need so they can weather this difficult period.”

Officials said that applying for the federal Economic Impact Disaster Loans might help during the crisis.

“Our application for federal disaster loans is just the first step to address the needs of Wisconsin businesses and their employees during the emergency,” Evers said in the statement.

TUESDAY: Governor Orders Ban On Gatherings Of 10 Or More

Evers has asked the state Department of Health Services to order a prohibition against mass gatherings of 10 people or more in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.

According to a news release, the order makes exceptions for transportation, educational institutions, child care, hotels, military, law enforcement, food pantries, hospitals, long-term care facilities, grocery stores, convenience stores, utility facilities, job centers and courts. The order says restaurants and bars can only offer take-out or delivery options.

The full order and list of all exemptions can be found here.

“Our top priority at this time is to keep Wisconsinites safe and healthy by reducing the spread of COVID-19, especially for those who are considered high-risk,” Evers said in the news release. “I know what this means for our small business owners and the struggles they and their workers will face in the coming weeks, but we are committed to working with our federal partners, state officials, and stakeholders to ensure we are doing everything we can to assist during these uncertain times.”

TUESDAY: UW-Madison Announces ‘Alternate Delivery’ Of Coursework Through Spring Semester

University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced the university would move to “alternate delivery” from March 23 through the remainder of the spring semester and seek to further reduce those working on campus to those providing “essential services.”

Blank said students would receive information about instruction as plans are completed.

The chancellor also suggested that anyone traveling away from Madison during spring break should consider whether they need to return to Madison or if they can “continue the semester from their permanent residence.”

Students living in residence halls who can’t return home or are unable to “access alternate course delivery” from another location can remain in residence halls.

This Week: Check Out Resources For More Information

Here’s a series of NPR articles that contain information that might be helpful:

• It’s Time To Get Serious About Social Distancing. Here’s How
• Self-Quarantine? Isolation? Social Distancing? What They Mean And When To Do Them
• New Analysis Suggests Months Of Social Distancing May Be Needed To Stop Virus
• Self-Isolation Orders Pit Civil Liberties Against Public Good In Coronavirus Pandemic
• Coronavirus: U.S. Urges Americans To Home-School; The WHO Says: ‘Test, Test, Test’
• Coronavirus Symptoms: Defining Mild, Moderate And Severe
• Coronavirus FAQs: What’s ‘Flattening The Curve’? Should I Travel?
• Flattening A Pandemic’s Curve: Why Staying Home Now Can Save Lives
• The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here’s How To Clean Them
• A List Of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown