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

Thursday afternoon, the state Department of Health Services confirmed 155 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, as well as 2,192 negative tests. The 155 figure did not include two new cases in La Crosse County and Rock County’s first case, bringing the total to at least 158.

Late Thursday night, Gov. Tony Evers confirmed two people have died from the new coronavirus in Wisconsin.

In the last 72 hours the Evers administration has taken several steps to attempt to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, including closing public and private schools indefinitely, limiting groups to less than 10 people, closing all bars and restaurants and limiting child care centers to fewer than 50 children and 10 child care providers.

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:

8 PM: Milwaukee Mayor To Self-Quarantine

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has been exposed to the new coronavirus, he revealed in a statement Thursday evening.

“I have been informed I came in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,” he wrote. “I have consulted with public health officials and they have recommended 14 days of self-quarantine and therefore that’s what I will be doing. I am following best practices by self-isolating. In an effort to maintain social distancing the last several days, I have been continuing my duties and responsibilities by teleconference and videoconference and I expect to do the same during this time of self-quarantine.”

Earlier this week, Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, announced she would self-quarantine after becoming aware she had come into contact with someone infected with the virus

7 PM: Gov. Tony Evers Confirms 2 COVID-19 Deaths in Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers confirmed Thursday night that two deaths in Wisconsin were linked to the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to a press release, the first death was a man in his 50s from Fond du Lac County. The second was a man in his 90s from Ozaukee County.

“Our hearts go out to all the loved ones affected by these deaths, and to all those suffering from this virus,” Evers in the statement. “We are committed to fighting the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and I want to recognize the hard work and bravery of our nurses, doctors, state health officials, and all those on the front lines in the effort to save lives. Together we will get through this historic health challenge.”

6:34 PM: Rock County Confirms First COVID-19 Case

The Rock County Public Health Department announced the county’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 Thursday night.

According to the department, the person is 57 years old and isolated at home. The person had no known contact with a positive case, but did travel to an event in Chicago, according to a county press release.

The department is notifying people who had close contact with the patient, and said it “is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and is prepared to address an increasing number of cases.”

6:15 PM: UW Health Launches Effort To Connect Health Care Workers With Child Care

UW Health has launched an effort to match health care staff in need of child care support with available child care providers Thursday.

On the website, they ask those who are “available, willing and able to provide child care,” to fill out a survey so they can match health care and child care providers.

5:30 PM: Preliminary Unemployment Claims Top 30K

The early days of social distancing under the new coronavirus hit the state’s workforce especially hard as more than 30,000 people filed initial unemployment claims in just four days.

The numbers represented a staggering jump from the same period a year ago, when about 5,200 people filed initial unemployment claims.

The state’s economy took a hit this week when the state ordered a ban on gatherings of 10 or more people and ordered bars and restaurants to close. That order took effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. On Wednesday, nearly 15,000 Wisconsin residents filed for unemployment.

The data on the latest weekly claims come from the U.S. Department of Labor and were shared by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. They’re preliminary numbers and subject to change.

“We haven’t encountered something like this in a long time,” said DWD Secretary Caleb Frostman.

5 PM: Isthmus Newspaper Goes Dark For The Time Being

Isthmus, an alternative weekly newspaper based in Madison, announced Thursday that it would cease publication for the time being due to the many cancelations happening in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Isthmus financially depends on people coming together for concerts, food, drink, lectures, movies and more. And when it all goes away at once, we are left without options,” said a statement on the newspaper’s website.

According to the statement, Isthmus will reassess future plans at a later date.

4:45 PM: UW System To Prorate Room And Board

University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross announced Thursday that all UW System institutions will refund remaining housing and dining for the remainder of the spring semester for students who have left their universities.

“We recognize the tremendous upheaval this pandemic has inflicted on the lives of our students, and we appreciate their patience and their sacrifice,” Cross said. “This reimbursement is the right thing to do.”

According to the UW System statement, reimbursements will not include the period of the originally scheduled spring break. Reimbursements will be issued by the close of the spring semester.

4:10 PM: WIAA Cancels Annual Meeting, Delays Decision On Spring Sports

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) announced Thursday it will hold off on making a decision whether it will cancel spring sports to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. It has also canceled its Board of Control’s 2020 Annual Meeting, which was scheduled to take place in April.

The board voted to allow WIAA’s executive director to access the organization’s financial reserves through the end of the fiscal year.

WIAA’s boys’ basketball tournament was scheduled to begin Thursday in Madison. It’s been canceled.

3:50 PM: Wisconsin National Guard Ready To Support State, If Needed

The Wisconsin National Guard is getting forces ready to ensure it’s ready to respond to potential requests for assistance from other state agencies or communities, if its assistance is requested.

Approximately 300 troops have been mobilized to state active duty to posture the Guard for further state support, according to a statement.

“Serving our state during times of emergency is one of our core missions in the National Guard, and we stand ready to assist the state with whatever it may ask of us,” said Col. Eric Leckel, director of domestic operations for the Wisconsin National Guard.

The National Guard has brought on additional planners, logisticians and command and control elements to manage and execute any future missions. This could include assisting state agencies with logistics and planning, specimen collection, providing a source of medical professionals, and more, Leckel said.

Approximately 30 Wisconsin National Guard troops mobilized to state active duty last week to assist the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in transporting a group of Wisconsin citizens to their homes for self-quarantine after returning to Wisconsin following a cruise with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

1:50 PM: DHS Website Says 155 Confirmed Cases Identified In Wisconsin

According to the state Department of Health Services’ website, there were 155 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin as of 1:50 p.m. Thursday. The 155 figure didn’t include two new cases in La Crosse County, bringing the total to at least 157.

That number included first confirmed cases in Bayfield, Calumet, Columbia, Eau Claire, Ozaukee, Sauk and Walworth counties.

1:45 PM: Kohl’s Closing Stores Nationwide

Wisconsin-based department store Kohl’s announced Thursday it will close its stores nationwide starting at 7 p.m. Stores will remain closed until at least until Wednesday, April 1.

“We will support store associates with two calendar weeks of pay,” said Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass in a statement.

Kohl’s online sales on the store’s website and app will remain operational.

1:20 PM: SC Johnson Donates $5M In Products And Cash

Racine-based manufacturer SC Johnson announced Thursday it will donate $5 million in products and cash “to support urgent public needs and those on the front lines.”

According to a press release, the company has already donated $2 million to coronavirus pandemic relief, including $1 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund, and other donations to efforts around the world in China, Italy and the U.K.

“I am incredibly proud of all the people of SC Johnson who are committed to providing support to those around the world dealing with this crisis and experiencing its impact firsthand,” said Fisk Johnson, chair and CEO of SC Johnson. “From medical professionals and first responders to school children, we hope this commitment will help provide some relief.”

1 PM: United Way Website Shows Volunteer Opportunities

In order to connect volunteers with people and organizations in need, the United Way of Wisconsin, Serve Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association created the COVID-19 Response Initiative on the Volunteer Wisconsin website.

“Many of the needs that communities across our state are currently facing and those that will arise in the coming weeks will require the assistance of volunteers to help provide critical services, such as food distribution, supplementing staff at medical or care facilities, services for children, and transportation to essential medical visits,” said Charlene Mouille, executive director of United Way of Wisconsin.

12 PM: Wisconsin DMVs To Close For Cleaning, Make Adjustments to Service

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson has authorized state Department of Motor Vehicles offices across the state to enact a one-day closure to deep clean and modify public spaces.

All DMV customer service centers will be closed to the public Friday. When they reopen Monday in-person customer service will be restricted to issuing new driver licenses and issuing identification cards by appointment only.

Also, the following changes will be implemented temporarily:

• Driver licenses and CDLs that expire during this public health emergency will be automatically extended 60 days. Late fees will be waived. The driver record, visible to law enforcement, will show the extension and that the driver license is valid.
• All driver skills tests are being canceled as of Thursday until further notice.
• ​Customers are being notified administrative suspension hearings will be offered by telephone (or paper), not in-person.

12 PM: Bayfield County Confirms First Positive COVID-19 Test

The Bayfield County Health Department has confirmed the county’s first case of COVID-19.

According to a press release, the person recently traveled to a place where community spread of the virus is occurring and developed symptoms shortly after.

The health department has reviewed self-quarantine procedures with the person, and continues to monitor them.

11:27 AM: Absentee Ballot Requests For April Election Surge

With more people interested in voting by mail in Wisconsin’s presidential primary election April 7, absentee ballot requests have hit record territory. Local clerks have processed more requests than at any point in state history for a spring election.

Total processed absentee requests topped 315,000, shattering the previous record for a spring election of 249,000 in 2016.

9:55 AM: Wisconsin Democratic Party Scales Back Statewide Convention

The Wisconsin Democratic Party has canceled all of its congressional district conventions and scaled back the planned statewide convention in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The party’s administration committee voted Wednesday to cancel the meetings and reduce the state convention from two days to one, June 12. It also voted to authorize party chair Ben Wikler to decide no later than May 1 whether to continue with the in-person meeting at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells or do it virtually.

The Wilderness is closed until at least April 2, according to its website.

Wikler will also be able to decide whether to limit the business of the convention to include only speeches, reports and election of Democratic National Committee members. If that happens, that would mean the party would have fewer speakers, no caucus meetings, no debates or votes on changes to its platform, constitution or adoption of resolutions.

9:35 AM: Eau Claire County Reports First Positive COVID-19 Test

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department and Wisconsin Department of Health Services have confirmed Wednesday the first case of COVID-19 in Eau Claire County.

According to a statement, the individual had traveled outside of Wisconsin and likely had exposure in another state. The person is now quarantined at home.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is working with the person to identify anyone who may have had close contact and advising those people to quarantine for 14 days.

9 AM: Summerfest Officials Looking Into Contingency Plans

As much of the events and hospitality industries are shut down in response to COVID-19, Summerfest music festival in Milwaukee is still scheduled for June 24 through July 5.

According the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Summerfest officials said they were looking into financial contingency plans during a Milwaukee World Festival Board meeting conducted via teleconference Thursday.

At this point, however, most of the headliners are booked and construction is ongoing at the amphitheater.

LATE WEDNESDAY: UW La Crosse Closes Buildings For Cleaning

According to an email sent by the infectious disease response team at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, a family member of a university employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

In response, the university is closing Wimberly and Centennial Halls for cleaning.

According to the email, the person’s symptoms are mild and their household is under home quarantine.

LATE WEDNESDAY: Harley-Davidson Inc. Temporarily Suspending Production

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. has made the decision to temporarily suspend production at its three manufacturing plants in the United States. The decisions comes after an employee at the plant in Menomonee Falls tested positive for COVID-19.

The other production facilities are in Tomahawk and York, Pennsylvania.

The Menomonee Falls plant will be closed through at least March 29.

WEDNESDAY: 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.

WEDNESDAY: 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.