Weekly Update: March 14, 2022
Thank You Tour!
On March 14, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Service (DHS) announced the "Thank You Tour: Moving Forward Together” to thank communities for their COVID-19 response efforts. DHS is also launching a new webpage that allows Wisconsinites to post an online note of appreciation to thank someone for their service and leadership in support of the COVID-19 response.
As part of the Thank You Tour, DHS officials will be traveling across Wisconsin from March through May to see and hear directly from those who have been serving on the COVID-19 frontlines. Stops include local health departments and tribal health clinics, aging and disability resource centers, COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites, health care facilities, vaccination community outreach grant awardees, schools, and health care industry events. The Thank You Tour recognizes that Wisconsin is in a better place today to respond to the virus due to the support and sacrifices of those who stepped up to protect their communities.
Spring Break COVID-19 Safety
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages Wisconsinites to take precautions if they travel for spring break. Although COVID-19 cases are declining, traveling increases an individual’s risk of being exposed to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DHS recommend Wisconsinites delay their travel plans until they are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. If Wisconsinites do travel, DHS recommends they know the COVID-19 Community Level of their destination and follow the appropriate precautions. Wisconsinites should continue to practice layered prevention strategies as recommended to stay safe, protect others, and reduce strain on health care systems. Wisconsinites should not travel if they: ·
- Have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not completed their isolation period.
- Have recently been exposed to COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine.
- Are awaiting COVID-19 test results.
Mask wearing is still required on all forms of public U.S transportation. Wisconsinites are also responsible for knowing and complying with all airline and destination requirements. We urge all Wisconsinites to continue use a combination of COVID-19 prevention strategies, even while traveling, that will allow us to continue to keep our communities safe and healthy.
The P-EBT Program Provides Meals to over 60,000 Wisconsin Children
Wisconsin issued $3 million in benefits to more than 44,000 families for almost 62,000 children under the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program for the 2021-2022 school year. Created by Congress in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the School P-EBT program provides vital food benefits for children who, because of COVID-19, miss the free or reduced priced meals they would normally have gotten at their school. Only children who are enrolled in the free or reduced price meals program and who attend schools that participate in the USDA’s National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program are eligible for P-EBT.
Families with questions about their benefits should visit the School P-EBT webpage for more information or contact the P-EBT Support Team by phone at 833-431-2224 or by email at PEBTsupport@wisconsin.gov.
More than $97 Million Awarded to Assist Healthcare Access
Gov. Tony Evers announced on March 9 more than $97 million in grants have been awarded to address healthcare access needs in communities across the state through the Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Program.
The Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment Grant Program is administered by the DOA and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The governor recently visited grant recipients to highlight projects that will expand healthcare access for communities across the state, including stops in Appleton, Hillsboro, Park Falls, Racine, and Janesville. A full list of grant awardees and additional information can be found on the program website.
Wisconsinites can visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information for families, farmers, businesses, organizations, and communities, as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state.
154 Wisconsin National Guard Members Completed CNA Training Since January
Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced a total of 154 Wisconsin National Guard members have completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) training since early January 2022. This collaborative effort among the Evers Administration, Madison College, and the Wisconsin National Guard was intended to bring needed short-term staffing support to Wisconsin’s hospitals and nursing homes. The goal was to open 200 or more beds by the end of February. As of March 7, 226 beds have been opened at 17 nursing homes and more beds will open as 56 more Wisconsin National Guard personnel are placed at six nursing homes across the state this week.
Supporting Wisconsin’s health care system was critical as Wisconsin saw an unprecedented number of COVID-19 cases during the Omicron surge. The surge in new cases sent a record number of Wisconsinites to hospitals across the state. Many Wisconsin hospitals were operating at or near peak capacity for weeks. Less than two months later, the situation has greatly improved. The current seven-day average of new confirmed COVID-19 cases is 341, with hospitalizations continuing to decline.
DHS is urging all Wisconsinites to continue to do their part to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the COVID-19 virus:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster dose as soon as you are eligible.
- Stay home if you are feeling sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
- Wear a well-fitting mask when recommended and/or if you or someone you live or interact with may be at greater risk. Wearing a mask is recommended in public indoor settings in counties with a High COVID-19 Community Level.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners Program
On March 7, 2022, Gov. Tony Evers announced the launch of the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program, which is set to provide more than $92 million in financial assistance to Wisconsin homeowners who have experienced financial hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible homeowners can receive assistance with mortgage payments, local property taxes, and utilities, including internet, as well as housing counseling and legal services.
The program will help Wisconsin homeowners who have experienced a qualified financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, and who earn a household income at or below 100 percent of the area median income. Even homeowners without a mortgage who meet income requirements and are struggling with overdue bills related to their homes are encouraged to apply for assistance. An online application is available now, and additional eligibility information is available on the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners website.
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