Live: What To Know April 6 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 Monday there are 2,440 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide and 77 deaths. That doesn’t include five additional deaths in Milwaukee County and one additional death in Sheboygan County reported by local officials, bringing the statewide total to 83 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 Coronavirus In Wisconsin section.

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

5:05 PM: State Supreme Court Blocks Evers Order Delaying Election

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has enjoined nearly all of an executive order issued by Gov. Tony Evers on Monday that would have moved the state’s election from Tuesday, April 7 to June 9.

The court’s two liberal-leaning justices dissented. Justice Daniel Kelly, who is on the ballot seeking re-election, didn’t participate in the hearing of the case brought against Evers by Republican leaders of the state Legislature.

Evers said his executive order was necessary to ensure health and safety as the number of cases of COVID-19 grow in Wisconsin. Republican legislative leaders called his order illegal and vowed a swift appeal to the state’s highest court.

4:31 PM: Lands’ End Furloughs Workers, Cuts Salaries, Suspends 401(k) Match Due To COVID-19 Store Closures

Wisconsin-based clothing retailer Lands’ End has announced cost-cutting strategies aimed at helping the company “preserve liquidity” during strict social restrictions spurred by the spread of the new coronavirus. A statement from Lands’ End CEO Jerome Griffith said that since March 28, around 70 percent of Lands’ End’s corporate employees and nearly 100 percent of its retail employees have been furloughed.

The statement said while all of it’s 26 stores in the U.S. have closed, the company’s Wisconsin-based distribution centers remain operational and employees working there are receiving a temporary increase in pay.

Additional cost-saving measures taken by Lands’ End are temporary reductions in base salaries, the elimination of 2020 merit pay increases, a temporary suspension of the company’s 401(k) match, a reduction in the company board of directors’ compensation and reductions in capital expenditures.

4:09 PM: Milwaukee County, Green Bay Order Polling Places Closed Tuesday

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele ordered all polling places there to be closed Tuesday in response to Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order released hours earlier suspending Wisconsin’s scheduled April 7 election until June 9.

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich has also ordered polling places to close Tuesday.

“The right decision is not always the easy one,” said Genrich. “I thank Governor Evers for taking appropriate and lawful action to protect the rights and health of our citizenry.”

Republican leaders in the state Assembly and state Senate have vowed to file a legal challenge with the Wisconsin Supreme Court to block Evers’ order.

3:42 PM: Wisconsin Elections Commission Urging Poll Workers To Prepare For Tuesday Election Despite Governor’s Order To Delay It

A letter sent by the Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe to municipal and county clerks is urging them to “continue making preparation in earnest” for Tuesday’s election. The letter said that Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order issued Monday postponing in-person voting is certain to face legal challenges.

“I know too much has already been asked of you, but we ask you to proceed with your Election Day preparations as we do not know the outcome of any possible litigation and we need to be prepared if the election is held tomorrow,” said Wolfe.

3:16 PM: Kroger Family of Companies To Begin Limiting Customer Numbers In Its Grocery Stores

A press release from the Kroger Family of Companies says it will begin to limit the number of customers in its grocery stores at a given time beginning Tuesday, April 7 to “encourage physical distancing.” The company operates stores in Wisconsin under the Pick ‘n Save, Copps and Metro Market brand names. Stores will limit customers to one person per 120 square feet.

2:21 PM: Protective Gear From Strategic National Stockpile ‘Barely Begins To Meet The Need,’ DHS Says

During a press briefing Monday afternoon, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm said Wisconsin has received shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the federal Strategic National Stockpile. She said the state has gotten 104,680 N95 respirator masks, 260,840 surgical masks, 48,168 face shields and,140,750 pairs of medical gloves.

“This PPE will help protect our medical professionals as they do their important work of treating COVID-19 patients that need care,” said Palm. “However, what we have received from the Strategic National Stockpile barely begins to meet the need or the requests of the Wisconsin health care system.”

Palm also discussed a Wisconsin PPE buyback and donation program initiated by Gov. Tony Evers. She said 15,100 N95 respirator masks and 24,200 surgical masks from the state program have been distributed to public safety and health workers including police and firefighters.

1:49 PM: 2,440 Positive COVID-19 Cases In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting 2,440 people have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 173 since Sunday afternoon. Waushara and Kewaunee Counties both reported their first positive cases Monday, according to DHS.

The number of deaths reported by the state has increased from 68 Sunday to 77 Monday. The Monday total doesn’t include five additional deaths in Milwaukee County and one additional death in Sheboygan County reported by local officials, bringing the statewide total to 83 deaths.

According to DHS, 668 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19, which represents 27 percent of those testing positive.

1:04 PM: Executive Orders Issued To Address Health Care Worker Staffing

Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm have issued two emergency orders suspending rules Monday.

The first order adjusts medical license renewal deadlines and paramedic and ambulance staffing levels. The second order allows health care provider licenses that would have expired during the public health emergency to remain valid until 30 days after the emergency is over.

“This order reduces regulatory burdens on facilities and emergency services and allows them to meet the critical needs of their residents and patients during this public health emergency,” Pam said in a release. “We are all in this together, and this order provides the flexibility needed to ensure that we get through this together.”

12:48 PM: Gov. Tony Evers Suspends In-Person Voting For Tuesday’s Election

Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order suspending in-person voting for Tuesday’s scheduled election and moved in-person voting to June 9.

Evers’ order directs the state Legislature to meet in special session Tuesday to discuss changing the election date.

According to a release announcing the order, “If the Legislature does not enact legislation to change the new election date, in-person voting will occur on June 9, 2020.”

Ballots already cast in the spring election would be valid and would be tallied with the new in-person voting date.

Evers is quoted in the release stating:

“Today, I signed an executive order suspending in-person voting for tomorrow’s election. Frankly, there’s no good answer to this problem—I wish it were easy. I have been asking everyone to do their part to help keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and I had hoped that the Legislature would do its part—just as the rest of us are—to help keep people healthy and safe. But as municipalities are consolidating polling locations, and absent legislative or court action, I cannot in good conscience stand by and do nothing. The bottom line is that I have an obligation to keep people safe, and that’s why I signed this executive order today.”

12:04 PM: Wisconsin Farm Groups Urge Gov. Evers To Deem CBD Shops Essential

The Wisconsin Hemp Alliance, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association sent a letter to Gov. Tony Evers stating the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) has taken the opinion that CBD shops and the retail sale of hemp products are non-essential businesses and therefore should be closed as part of Evers’ “Safer at Home” executive order.

The letter requests Evers’ ask WEDC to revisit its opinion because of the potential medicinal value CBD has for those who use it.

“We’ve heard from many who have a hard time understanding why liquor stores and firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers are deemed essential, while facilities that sell products with medicinal value and can actually improve one’s health may not be,” the letter said.

11:48 AM: PGA Re-Confirms Ryder Cup To Be Held In Wisconsin Sept. 22

The Professional Golfers’ Association has released its revised schedule of tournaments for 2020. While some tournaments are being rescheduled, the Ryder Cup, which was scheduled to run from Sept. 22 through Sept. 27 at Whilstling Straits in the Village of Kohler, will continue as planned.

11:16 AM: NAACP Announces Support For Evers’ Call To Extend Mail-In Voting To May 19

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People issued a statement praising Gov. Tony Evers for signing Executive Order #73, which calls on the state Legislature to meet and make changes to Tuesday’s election.

The governor is encouraging lawmakers to extend the spring election to May 19 and sending absentee ballots to all registered voters who haven’t already voted absentee by mail or in-person.

On Saturday, Republican leaders of the state Assembly and Senate adjourned a previous special session called by Evers without taking action. The GOP leaders have balked at expanding absentee voting and indicated they will seek even stricter limits on absentee balloting.

11 AM: Republican Lawmakers Call On Evers To Reopen Golf Courses

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 40 Republican lawmakers wrote a letter to Gov. Tony Evers calling on him to reopen the state’s golf courses. Golf courses have been shut down since the governor’s safer-at-home order went into effect.

“While many outdoor activities remain open for the public to enjoy, including State Parks, the Evers administration has ordered the closure of all golf courses in the State of Wisconsin,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Golf is a popular outside sport and can be good exercise for those who play.”

The letter said courses would have to follow social distancing and safety guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

10:57 AM: Wisconsin Attorney General Emphasizes Importance Of Online Safety As More Students Learn Online

In a press release, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said parents should be vigilant while their children spend more time online amid school closures caused by the spread of the new coronavirus.

“By being proactive, parents, guardians, and other caretakers can help keep kids safe online,” said Kaul.

Kaul said online risks can include cyberbullying, exploitation, grooming and trafficking and recommended small steps like limiting screen-time and removing devices from bedrooms overnight.

10:38 AM: Wisconsin Spring Turkey Hunt Still On

The state Department of Natural Resources has announced the Spring turkey hunting season will begin Wednesday, April 15 as previously scheduled.

A DNR press release said that Gov. Tony Evers’ “safer-at-home order recognizes outdoor activity as an essential activity. As such, the 2020 Spring Turkey Season will proceed without changes to the season dates or management zones under the safer at home order.”

10:27 AM: Organic Valley Donates Personal Protection Equipment To Vernon County Emergency Management

Wisconsin-based organic food distribution cooperative Organic Valley has announced a donation of nearly 1,600 N95 protective face masks and 700 protective gloves Friday afternoon to the Vernon County Emergency Management department. A cooperative spokesperson said the supplies were taken from a distribution center in Cashton.

10:16 AM: Wisconsin Elections Commission Releases Top 10 Things Voters Should Know Before Heading To Polls Tuesday.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has released a list of the top 10 tips for voters who may be confused about ongoing changes to the April 7 election as a result of the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state.

These recommendations include:

• Checking myvote.wi.gov to find polling places as some municipalities have reduced available voting sites
• Washing your hands before going to your polling place and again when you enter
• Being aware of social distancing efforts inside the polling place to keep voters 6 feet apart.

10:04 AM: UW System Asking State For COVID-19 Relief Funds

The Wisconsin State Journal reports the University of Wisconsin System has asked state lawmakers for $59 million in emergency relief to address fiscal challenges caused by the new coronavirus.

The request includes $25 million to help offset an estimated $78 million in housing and dining hall refunds to students who have left campus and are taking classes online. It also includes $16 million in information technology support, which includes the purchase of e-textbooks and software for virtual testing.

The state funding request is in addition to an estimated $94 million in federal aid passed as part of the federal CARES stimulus.

8:21 AM: Milwaukee County Death Toll Rises To 45

A tweet from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office states 45 people have now died from complications of the novel coronavirus. That means six more deaths were reported in the county between Sunday and Monday.

According to Milwaukee County figures, 1,270 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those cases, 996 have been in the city of Milwaukee.

SUNDAY: Evers Denies GOP Request To Have In-Person Easter, Passover Services

Gov. Tony Evers has declined a request by Assembly Republicans to allow in-person services for Easter and Passover during the coronavirus pandemic, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Easter is Sunday. Passover begins Wednesday and ends Thursday, April 16.

Wisconsin is under a stay-at-home order, and crowds of 10 or larger are banned at weddings, funerals and church services.

In Wisconsin and across the country, many places of worship have temporarily closed their doors to all public services and instead moved services online.

SUNDAY: DHS Announces 2,267 Positive COVID-19 Cases, 68 Deaths

The state Department of Health Services announced on Sunday that there are now 2,267 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. There were 155 new cases from Saturday to Sunday.

The number of people who have died from the disease also rose in the last 24 hours, from 56 people as of Saturday afternoon to 68 people on Sunday, according to DHS numbers. That does not include five additional deaths Milwaukee County is reporting.

SUNDAY: Dane County Business Grant Fund Grows

Dane County has increased available funding to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The grant program was $250,000 when announced Wednesday. On Sunday the pandemic assistance fund to help small businesses was increased to $800,000.

Dane Buy Local will administer the grants and has​ information about the County’s grant program on their website www.danebuylocal.com.

SUNDAY: National Guard Sets Up Sheboygan Testing Site

The Wisconsin National Guard sent a team of 30 soldiers and airmen to the Sunny Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday where they tested facility staff and residents in support of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health.

The Guard established drive-thru testing for staff before going inside to test residents. Local health officials identified an outbreak at the facility in the past week.

In March, a team of six Wisconsin National Guard medics also helped the staff at a senior living facility in Grafton which had an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and not enough workers.

SUNDAY: Biden Raises Idea Of Virtual DNC

Joe Biden says the Democratic National Convention may need to take place online as the pandemic continues to reshape the race for the White House.

The convention in Milwaukee already has been pushed back from mid-July until August. The former vice president told ABC’s “This Week” that the party “may have to do a virtual convention.”

He said Democrats may not be able to put tens of thousands of people in one place.

Biden has a commanding lead in delegates needed to clinch his party’s presidential nomination.

Biden also said he plans to wear a mask in public, heeding new federal guidelines.

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.