Live: What To Know March 23 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

The state Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm said Monday there are 416 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 7,050 negative tests. However, the number continues to grow as counties announce positive cases.

As of Monday afternoon, five people had died from the new coronavirus in Wisconsin, according to the DHS website.

As Wisconsin nears its first full week of unprecedented social restrictions to combat the virus, people over the weekend opted to keep their distance while taking advantage of the outdoors instead of being cooped up inside.

Stay informed on the latest news

On Monday, the governor said he would be implementing a “stay-at-home” order Tuesday in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Previously, Gov. Tony Evers banned all social gatherings of 10 or more people. In the last week businesses have shut their doors, communities have come together to support one another and the Evers administration has taken several steps to attempt to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Meanwhile, health care workers prepare for a dramatic increase of infected patients to overwhelm the state’s health care system when hospitals are short protective gear and supplies.

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-19 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:

6:05PM: Summerfest Moves Summer Concert To September

Summerfest announced it is moving the 11-day summer music festival along Milwaukee’s lakefront from the beginning of summer to September.

The music festival was supposed to be June 24-July 5, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, festival organizers have decided to move it to Sept. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19.

“In the interest of safety and cooperation with artists, Summerfest 2020 will move … The new dates provide the best possible option to deliver the Summerfest experience our fans and sponsors have grown to love,” a statement on Summerfest’s official Twitter account reads.

Tickets purchased for Summerfest’s original dates can be used during the rescheduled dates, the statement reads. Information about rescheduled performances will be shared “soon,” according to the statement.

4:47 PM: Madison Metro Transit Implementing Free Fares And Rear Door Entry/Exit Only

Madison’s Metro Transit is adding additional measures to help limit the amount of exposure to COVID-19.

Starting on March 24, riders must board and exit buses using rear doors. Riders in wheelchairs will continue to board at the front of the bus.

This new practice will continue until April 20 and fares will not be collected on fixed route service while the practice is in place.

Riders are asked to practice social distancing by leaving at least 6 feet of distance from the driver.

3:21 PM: Wisconsin Paper Council Asks To Be Exempt From ‘Safer-At-Home’ Order

The Wisconsin Paper Council is asking for Gov. Tony Evers’ “safer-at-home” order to define the “papermaking, converting and printing manufacturers” as essential businesses. The council is asking for the industries to be exempt from the restrictions included in the forthcoming order.

“The Wisconsin Paper Council is working with other industry partners to impress upon key policymakers the need to continue producing essential consumer and medical products which are vital in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Papermakers and their coalition partners in the converting and printing industries are key producers and shippers of the products which are critical in the fight against this worldwide pandemic,” the release Monday read.

3:19 PM: UW-Madison Engineers, Local Manufacturers Make Face Shields For Health Care Workers

University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers are working with Madison-area manufacturers, the design consulting firm Delve, and other members of campus to help meet the demand for medical face shields.

The group has created a first batch of face shields for UW Hospital, and, according to a UW-Madison press release, will deliver samples to other local hospitals, requesting feedback.

The team published its design for others to use, and, according to the release, it is being replicated.

3:08 PM: Milwaukee’s Streetcar Will Run On Reduced Schedule

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Milwaukee’s streetcar known as The Hop, will limit it’s operating hours to prevent the spread of the new virus.

Starting March 26, the streetcar will operate from 7 AM to 9 PM and cars will arrive at stops every 20 minutes instead of every 15 minutes.

According to a statement, the streetcar is being cleaned more frequently and riders should leave additional space between themselves while on the streetcar.

2:24 PM: State Rep. David Bowen Tests Positive For COVID-19.

Over the weekend, state Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, tested positive for COVID-19, according to a release from Bowen’s office.

Bowen was running a fever late last week, is in quarantine at home and “in good spirits and recuperating,” according to the Monday release.

Early last week, Bowen was contacted by the Shorewood Health Department that he was in contact with a local elected official who tested positive for COVID-19. Bowen said it’s not clear who he contracted the virus from.

“Even if you are young and typically healthy, it’s even more important that you heed the call to stay home, take care of your family, and not spread the virus to others who are vulnerable,” Bowen said in the release.

1:30 PM: DHS Reports 416 Positive Cases In Wisconsin

As of Monday afternoon, five people had died from the new coronavirus in Wisconsin, according to the DHS website.

DHS has identified community spread of the virus in Brown, Columbia, Dane, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Walworth and Waukesha counties, meaning some people who have been infected with the virus aren’t sure how or where they became infected.

Health officials stressed social distancing — staying 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds and staying home if sick.

During a press briefing Monday, Palm and Gov. Tony Evers stressed the importance of the upcoming stay-at-home order and flattening the curve, meaning reducing the number of people with the virus at one time.

“Issuing a stay-at-home order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, it’s not something I wanted to do, and it’s not something I take lightly,” Evers said. “We’re all in this together, and we need to stop the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.”

1:16 PM: American Hotel and Lodging Association Says Hotel Industry Hit Hard By Coronavirus

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the coronavirus pandemic is having a big impact on the hotel industry, including in Wisconsin.

The associated released information for states across the country. The figures for Wisconsin are:

18,168 direct hotel-related jobs lost
48,345 total jobs lost supporting hotel industry

12:16 PM: Medline Announces Plans To Produce Hand Sanitizer In Hartland

Medline’s facility in Hartland will now produce hand sanitizer to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

“This is an unprecedented time in health care with many unknowns,” Medline’s group president, Stu Schneider, said in a statement. “We knew we had to do something to help out customers and are working diligently to modify our space to bring this much needed product to market.”

Medline teams are modifying equipment and ventilation systems for the new line that will produce hand sanitizer. The company hopes to produce up to 150,000 bottles of sanitizer a week by mid-April. Medline is also considering hiring more employees based on demand.

12:06 PM: Ascension Health Opens Drive-Thru Testing In Mount Pleasant

Ascension Health announced it has launched drive-thru testing for COVID-19 with the help of SC Johnson. The exact location has not been released.

“Ascension All Saints Hospital is incredibly grateful to SC Johnson for its support at a time we all need to come together,” Kristin McManmon, Ascension All Saints Hospital president, said in a statement.

People who want to get testing still have to be prescreened by an Ascension provider by phone or virtually. If a provider says an individual should be tested, they will be told where the closest testing location is.

Patients won’t have to leave their car once they are on-site. Test results will take up to a week to return.

10:30 AM: City of Milwaukee To Issue Stay-At-Home Order

With the number of COVID-19 cases steadily climbing in the city of Milwaukee, officials there have issued their own stay-at-home order.

The order coincides with one announced earlier Monday by Gov. Tony Evers.

Milwaukee’s order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Milwaukee’s first COVID-19 case was March 13. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the city had 157 cases. Milwaukee County had 205 cases.

Milwaukee County has had three COVID-19-related deaths, said city health commissioner Jeanette Kowalik. The latest death was a Milwaukee man in his 50s with underlying health conditions, Kowalik said. He died Friday.

“There are people in our community moving along like nothing has happened; business as usual,” Kowalik said. “That’s just not the right approach right now. As you can see, cases are dramatically increasing.”

Kowalik said the city is seeing an increase of about 50 cases a day. And with every 50 cases about one death.

“A stay-at-home order is one of the most effective ways to slow this down,” Kowalik said.

10:30 AM: UW-Madison Will Have Virtual May Commencement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is offering a virtual commencement ceremony instead of holding in-person ceremonies on May 8 and May 9.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in a statement the university is developing a virtual commencement that will be posted May 8.

“We held out on this decision as long as possible, in hopes that the outlook for late spring might brighten, and we’d be able to gather as usual,” Blank said.

“Both the CDC and State of Wisconsin have put out guidance regarding gatherings of large groups of people. That means that in addition to the main ceremonies, graduations celebrations in schools, colleges, departments and campus organizations will also not go forward in May.”

Blank emphasized although there won’t be an in-person commencement, that does not mean students are not graduating.

The university will find another date to hold an in-person ceremony when it is safe for crowds to gather. The university will also share information about how diplomas will be sent out at https://commencement.wisc.edu/.

9:35 AM: Gov. Tony Evers Announces Plan To Issue Stay-At-Home Order

Evers announced Monday morning he will issue a stay-at-home order Tuesday in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Evers announced the move Monday morning on his official Twitter account.

“I know this has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state,” Evers wrote. “That’s why issuing a #SaferAtHome order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, and it’s not something I take lightly. But here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously.”

According to the tweet, the order will limit travel outside the home to “essential needs” like going to the doctor, grocery store, or pharmacy.

Health care professionals, grocers, family caregivers and other essential workers will still be allowed to travel to and from work. The governor said additional details will be provided Tuesday.

9:16 AM: Second DOC Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

A second state Department of Corrections employee has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Monday morning press release.

The second case is an employee at the Columbia Correctional Institution. Both employees are currently quarantining per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“At this time, no individuals in our care have tested positive, and our health care professionals are monitoring all individuals in our care closely,” the release reads.

8 AM: UW-Milwaukee Cancels In-Person Commencement

Due to the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has canceled its in-person graduation ceremonies.

The university asks students to “apply for graduation in the normal manner at https://uwm.edu/secu/com_cer/.”

“The lack of an in-person ceremony does not change your significant accomplishment, and you deserve to celebrate that,” a statement from the university reads. “We are exploring other ways to honor our graduates and will communicate when those plans are known.”

UW-Milwaukee also announced it would refund charges for housing and dining for the remainder of the spring semester for those who have moved out of on-campus student housing. Housing has been closed with the exception of those without another place to go.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Milwaukee Suspends In-Person Early Voting

Milwaukee announced Sunday that it has halted in-person early voting because of the risk posed by the new coronavirus.

According to a city press release, it will no longer be offering in-person absentee or early voting at Zablocki Library, the Zeidler Municipal Building or the Midtown Center.

“Due to increased COVID-19 exposure risk, the Election Commission can no longer maintain sufficient staffing levels to operate these sites in a manner that would ensure a safe or efficient public voting experience,” the press release said. “Given the city’s longstanding dedication to fair and equitable elections, the decision to end early voting in Milwaukee has been exceptionally difficult for all involved. However, given daily increases in COVID-19 cases on the local level, a critical balance must be achieved between access to voting and the health of election workers and the public.”

SUNDAY NIGHT: State Supreme Court Postpones Jury Trials Until Late May

The state Supreme Court released an order Sunday night putting off new jury trials in Wisconsin courts through May 22 in response to the spread of the new coronavirus.

While state courts will remain open, justices also ordered judges and court staff to use telephone and video conferencing instead of in-person proceedings through the end of April.

“We are taking these steps not only to protect public health, but also to help ensure continued and effective operation of all our courts for the people of Wisconsin,” said Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack in a press release. “Our circuit court judges have taken strategic, proactive steps to keep each of their courts operating as safely and smoothly as possible since the start of this public health emergency.”

SUNDAY: DHS Reports 381 Positive Cases In Wisconsin

The state Department of Health Services announced Sunday 381 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 6,230 negative tests. The number of positive cases increased by 100 since Saturday. However, the number continues to grow as counties announce positive cases.

As of Sunday afternoon, four people have died from the new coronavirus in Wisconsin.

DHS has identified community spread of the virus in Brown, Columbia, Dane, Kenosha, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, meaning some people who have been infected with the virus are not sure how or where they became infected.