Live: What To Know April 15 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

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

The state Department of Health Services announced Wednesday there are 3,721 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide and 182 deaths.

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 Coronavutiirus In Wisconsin section.

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

3 PM: Edgewood College Announces $500K Fund For Students

Edgewood College undergraduate students can apply for up to $1,500 though a new Presidential Relief Fund, The Cap Times reports.

The goal of the fund is to assist as many students as possible to continue their course of study at Edgewood College in the fall.

The Edgewood Board of Trustees approved the $500,000 fund earlier this month to provide immediate cash relief to students.

“So many service industries that our students rely on for employment are affected,” Edgewood Interim President Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger said in a statement. “We are fortunate to be able to offer a program that will provide some support for our students to help with basic needs like groceries, rent and unexpected expenses during this national and global health crisis.”

2:20 PM: Gov. Tony Evers Sign COVID-19 Relief Bill

Within hours of its passage by the state Senate, Gov. Tony Evers signed the COVID-19 relief bill. The bill lifts a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance in Wisconsin. It would also require health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing and bars those insurers from discriminating against people who have or have had the virus.

“Although I remain concerned about what is missing from this legislation I have called for this bill to be sent over for my signature as soon as possible,” Evers said in a written statement. “The bill I will sign falls short of what is needed to address the magnitude and gravity of what our state is facing, but I am not willing to delay our state’s response to this crisis.”

Evers said he was disappointed that the bill does not provide hazard pay or workers compensation for all frontline and critical workers like first responders, childcare providers, and healthcare workers.

2 PM: SAT Cancels June Test, Adds Exam Date In September

The College Board, the company that administers the SAT and Advanced Placement exams, announced it will not administer the SAT or SAT subject tests in June as planned. Instead, it intends to administer monthly tests starting in August, adding a September exam. If students don’t return to school in the fall, though, it will switch to an online option, as it has with AP exams this spring.

The ACT was administered to juniors in Wisconsin public high schools in early March.

At the college level, the University of Wisconsin System said it won’t fault applicants for the cancellation of SAT or ACT testing dates, along with other accommodations.

1:55 PM: DHS Reports 3,721 COVID-19 Cases, 182 Deaths In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 166 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon, taking the statewide total to 3,721. The disease has caused 182 deaths.

Sixty-five of the state’s 72 counties have confirmed cases. As of Wednesday afternoon the following counties still have no confirmed cases: Burnett, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Pepin, Taylor and Vernon.

According to DHS, 1,091 people across the state have been hospitalized for the disease.

As of Wednesday, 39,326 Wisconsinites have tested negative for the virus.

1:50 PM Harley-Davidson CEO Foregoes Salary, Staff Takes Paycuts Amid Pandemic

Harley-Davidson, Inc.’s acting president and CEO Jochen Zeitz announced Wednesday he will forgo his salary and the board of directors will not take cash compensation in response to the effect COVID-19 has had on the company’s business.

Harley-Davidson leaders will take a 30 percent pay reduction and there will be 10 to 20 percent reductions for most other salaried employees in the United States, according to a company press release. There will be no merit increases in 2020.

“The effects of COVID-19 on economies around the world have been swift and unprecedented,” Zeitz said in a written statement. “It is essential for us to respond quickly, adapt and position the company to manage near-term challenges while preparing to reenergize the business for the recovery and beyond.”

Harley-Davidson will release its first quarter 2020 financial results Tuesday, April 28.

1:10 PM: State Senators Pass COVID-19 Relief Bill

Wisconsin state senators voted 32-0 Wednesday for a bill to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Tony Evers said he would sign the bill, even though he felt it left critical needs unmet.

The bill passed in the Assembly on Tuesday on a 97-2 vote. It lifts a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance in Wisconsin. It would also require health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing and bars those insurers from discriminating against people who have or have had the virus.

“Even though the world may look different for the foreseeable future, this bill is bipartisan, it’s common sense,” said Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, during a virtual session of the Senate on Wednesday. “We need to do this today to get it to the governor’s desk.

10 AM: DPI Receives $5.2M For Online Learning

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction received $5.25 million to provide students access to digital resources while they are at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money, from the Common School Fund, will be disbursed to Wisconsin’s public schools by May 1. It will help school librarians purchase e-books and mobile access devices including hotspots.

“These special funds offer immediate assistance to Wisconsin students during this unprecedented time,” State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor said in a written statement. “This aid, along with the annual Common School Fund allocation, directly addresses Wisconsin’s digital divide and will help meet students’ remote learning needs.”

The $5.25 million is in addition to the planned $38.2 million in 2020 Common School Fund library aid, a record amount of funding used to purchase books, instructional materials, and computers supporting library programming.

9:30 AM: Evers Suspends Rules For Tourism Grants

Gov. Tony Evers has changed the way the Joint Effort Marketing grants can be administered, allowing for more flexibility in the way the money can be spent.

The grants provide funding to help Wisconsin’s nonprofit organizations promote tourism in their area, including convention and visitors’ bureaus and chambers of commerce that might not qualify for certain loan programs included in the federal CARES Act.

Previously, JEM grant money had to be used to promote tourism during the off-season. Under the changes, promotional work can now be done during the summer season. Because of the new coronavirus pandemic, summer could be the first option for tourism in Wisconsin this year.

“Wisconsin’s tourism economy was one of the earliest and hardest hit by COVID-19,” state Tourism Secretary Sara Meaney said in a statement. “With the changes announced today, we will have the ability to better stretch every available dollar to promote Wisconsin destinations as soon as health professionals give us the green light.”

TUESDAY: Evers: Could Be A Month Before Lockdown Lifts

Gov. Tony Evers is saying it could be at least a month before he starts to relax social distancing mandates, according to the Associated Press

The governor told KSTP-TV on Tuesday that lifting the mandates won’t be “like flipping a switch” and it could be weeks or a month before he starts rolling them back.

Evers said he wants to see more testing for the coronavirus, tracking the sick and more protective gear before he starts thinking about reopening businesses. Evers’ stay-at-home and school closure orders are set to expire on April 24.

As of Tuesday the coronavirus had killed 170 people in Wisconsin and infected more than 3,500.

TUESDAY: State Assembly Passes Coronavirus Relief Package

Wisconsin’s Assembly passed a coroanvirus relief package Tuesday that prohibits insurance companies from charging copays on COVID-19 tests, makes it easier for out-of-state or retired health care workers to practice in Wisconsin and eliminates the week-long waiting period for unemployment insurance.

“There was a collaborative effort in crafting the legislation, using input from Democrats, Republicans, workers, business owners, healthcare providers and constituents,” Speaker Robin Vos said in a statement. “The result was a bill that bolsters the state’s response to the public health emergency.”

The Assembly voted 97-2 in favor of the legislation. Half of its members attended the special session in person, while the other half connected remotely to ensure proper social distancing.

The Assembly rejected several Democratic amendments to the bill, including transitioning remaining 2020 elections to mail-in only.

The state Senate will vote on the relief package Wednesday.

TUESDAY: DHS Reports 3,555 COVID-19 Cases, 170 Deaths In Wisconsin

DHS reported 127 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon, taking the statewide total to 3,555. The disease has caused 170 deaths.

With more than 188 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents, Milwaukee County has the highest rate of infection and the most cases in the state.

Washburn County reported its first confirmed case Tuesday, while Kewaunee County reported its first COVID-19 death.

More than 1,000 people across the state have been hospitalized for the disease.

Nearly 38,000 Wisconsinites have tested negative for the virus.

TUESDAY: Evers Says Stories Of COVID-19 Deaths Show Need To Continue Social Distancing

As federal officials start to plan for a return to normal conditions, Gov. Tony Evers said Wisconsin residents need to continue social distancing measures.

In an interview with WPR, Evers said his administration is “considering all options” when it comes to whether to continue the state’s “safer-at-home” order set to expire Friday, April 24.

But he said the state is likely to see a surge in COVID-19 cases if social distancing practices don’t continue. He said health officials also need to continue increasing testing capacity and tracking potential spread.

“If we don’t have those pieces in place, and we don’t continue to do the work we’re doing now, we will go in reverse, and we just can’t have that,” Evers said.

Evers said he has spoken with several families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.

“In many cases it happened quickly and painfully and it absolutely sounded like a very difficult way to pass on,” Evers said. “So there is good reason for us to continue doing what we’re doing so that we can minimize the grief and the struggle that this virus has put people through.”

TUESDAY: Kewaunee County Reports First COVID-19 Death

A Kewaunee County resident died Monday from complications of COVID-19, local health officials reported Tuesday. It’s the first coronavirus-related death in the county.

A person who was in close contact with the individual is in self-quarantine for 14 days.

Kewaunee County has five confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning. An additional 28 tests are pending, according to health officials.

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.