Live: What To Know April 7 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 Tuesday there are 2,578 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide and 92 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:

4:07 PM: DMV Puts Further Limits On In-Person Services

Starting Wednesday, April 8, all Wisconsin DMV service centers will be closed, except for appointments with drivers who have essential business.

According to a release from the department, these are the only essential in-person services:

• Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)
• Voters needing identification who need to use the Identification card Petition Process (IDPP)
• New Wisconsin residents who need a driver license or ID for voting

Other services, including as address changes and vehicle registrations, can be completed online.

3:27 PM: Drive-In Churches An Option For Faithful Who Want Closeness

With coronavirus prevention measures shuttering houses of worship, pastors across the country are using that ultimate tool of social distancing — cars — to safely bring their communities closer together, the Associated Press reports.

It is a closeness congregations desire like never before. Drive-in churches are popping up so worshipers can assemble.

Physical presence is no gimmick, but rather embodies the communion central to many faiths. That’s why religious leaders are devising creative (and law-abiding) ways to make socially distanced worship possible. Said one pastor: “We need them to say, ‘Oh, I see you there and you’re still OK and we care about you.’”

3:15 PM: Fond du Lac County Closes Campgrounds

The Fond du Lac County Health Department has ordered a shutdown of county campsites, as many Wisconsin tourist destinations try to stem the spread of COVID-19 by discouraging outsiders from traveling there.

As long as Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order remains in place, Fond du Lac County campgrounds will be closed, the health department announced on Facebook.

Keeping campgrounds open would encourage nonessential travel and visits to local stores, and social distancing in communal bathrooms and other facilities would be difficult, the announcement states.

The La Crosse County Health Department has also ordered a campground shutdown.

1:50 PM: 2,578 Positive COVID-19 Cases In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting 2,578 people have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 138 cases since Monday afternoon.

Statewide, 92 people have died from COVID-19, according to DHS.

DHS reported that 745 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19, which represents 29 percent of those testing positive.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 28,512 people had tested negative.

11:42 AM: City Of Superior Limits Beach Access To County Residents Only

Only Douglas County residents will be able to enjoy Superior’s beaches as the city works to make people comply with Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order, the city announced on Tuesday.

Milwaukee County has closed its beaches.

11:36 AM: University of Wisconsin-Madison Cancels Face-To-Face, Non-Credit Summer Programs

Last week, in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, UW-Madison made all of its summer courses online-only. On Tuesday, UW-Madison Provost Karl Scholz announced all face-to-face summer programs and activities that do not carry class credit are canceled.

Scholz wrote in an email announcing the cancellations there are some exceptions for programs approved for distance learning.

10:04 AM: Viterbo University Opens Up Dorm To Healthcare Workers

Local health care and emergency workers who have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 can stay in a dorm at Viterbo University in La Crosse starting on Tuesday, April 14, according to an announcement from the school.

No students will be living in the building, the announcement states.

It’s the latest in a series of efforts to isolate people who may have come into contact with the new coronavirus. Last week, the University of Wisconsin-Madison opened up the Lowell Center, an on-campus hotel, to people who have suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

7 AM: Polls Open Across Wisconsin Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin voters could head to the polls in an election unlike any ever seen before in the state as officials and voters alike contend with new rules and procedures spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polls were set to open at 7 a.m. statewide.

Voters will weigh in on the Democratic presidential primary, a state Supreme Court race and a proposed amendment to the state constitution. There are also thousands of local offices on ballots across Wisconsin.

In-person turnout at the polls is expected to be lower than usual. Many voters have opted to vote by mail and others have expressed concerns about the risk of exposing themselves to the coronavirus at crowded polling places.

Tuesday’s vote comes after weeks of legal tumult and partisan fighting over whether the election should proceed as the new coronavirus spreads in Wisconsin.

On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers attempted to push back the election to June with an emergency order, but the Republican-controlled state Legislature immediately made an appeal to the state Supreme Court, which ruled 4-2 to strike the order down in just a matter of hours.

6:30 AM: Poll Workers Concerned About Catching COVID-19

Wisconsin poll workers are arriving at primary voting locations around the state and some are fearful about catching and spreading the coronavirus as thousands turn out to vote despite a stay-at-home order.

A small number of voters, some wearing masks, lined up at one Milwaukee polling place before it opened Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. They stood apart from one another as safety guidelines have recommended.

Rob Cronwell, 49, of Glendale, has worked the polls in the past and decided to sign up again this year knowing there would be a shortage.

Cronwell told the Journal Sentinel he has concerns about his well-being, but considers it critical to have open, free and fair elections.

The city of Madison has made its poll workers aware of extra precautions that are being taken, including hand sanitizer, Plexiglas separations and floor marks for safe distancing.

More than 2,400 cases of coronavirus have been reported across the state as of Monday.

MONDAY: US Supreme Court Weighs In

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision Monday requiring absentee ballots in Wisconsin’s election to be postmarked or delivered by 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7.

Under a previous court order by U.S. District Judge William Conley, voters would have had the chance to cast absentee ballots after polls closed as long as they were received by 4 p.m. Monday, April 13.

The unsigned U.S. Supreme Court order was handed down by Chief Justice John Roberts as well as Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, all of whom were nominated by Republican presidents. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, all of whom were nominated by Democratic presidents, dissented.

MONDAY: State Supreme Court Blocks Evers Order Delaying Election

Conservatives on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have blocked an attempt by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to postpone Tuesday’s election, a ruling the court made just four hours after Evers acted.

The court’s decision — coupled with a later U.S. Supreme Court order — means that despite daily public health warnings to avoid large crowds because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin’s April 7 election is happening.

Shortly before 5 p.m., the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its order in the case, with four conservatives — Justices Patience Roggensack, Annette Ziegler, Rebecca Bradley and Brian Hagedorn — ruling against Evers. The court’s two liberals — Justices Ann Walsh Bradley and Rebecca Dallet — dissented. Conservative Justice Daniel Kelly, who is on the ballot Tuesday, didn’t participate in the decision.

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.

MONDAY: Local Police Departments Look To Enforce Stay-At-Home Order

Milwaukee police will pursue charges against people who violate Gov. Tony Evers’s stay-at-home order, Police Chief Alfonso Morales announced in a video.

“As we continue to fight this pandemic, it angers me that some individuals are not taking it as seriously as they should,” Morales said.

Morales said if people commit a crime, they will be charged with violating the stay-at-home order in addition to any other charges they rack up. People who go out for a non-essential reason and participate in an activity “that leads to (their) victimization” will also be arrested.

Fond du Lac County has reportedly filed charges against people who allegedly violated the order.

MONDAY: 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.

MONDAY: 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.

MONDAY: 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.

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.