Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, and resources for the week of November 28, 2022.
Beginning this week this newsletter will be distributed biweekly on Tuesdays with the next going out the week of December 13.
DHS News
Make a Plan to Get Up to Date This Holiday Season!
New COVID-19 boosters are recommended for everyone 5 years and older. It’s a perfect time to get your flu vaccine, too! Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines ensures you have the best protection possible against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Learn what it means to be up to date on your vaccines.
Click here to find a COVID-19 vaccination near you or dial 2-1-1 to get connected with a caring, local expert.
DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Protect Themselves Against Respiratory Viruses this Holiday Season
With respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV circulating at high levels nationwide, the 2022-2023 respiratory season has the potential to be severe, especially for young children and older adults. DHS has issued an alert to Wisconsin health care providers, and urges everyone to get all recommended vaccines, including the updated COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccine, to help prevent and slow the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Reminder: COVID-19 vaccination for children is safe
Millions of children have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccines for children have gone through the same safety tests and met the same standards as all other vaccines authorized in the United States. Very few people have had any severe side effects. In fact, people are more likely to have serious long-term effects from getting sick from COVID-19.
Watch: Media Briefing on Avoiding Illness During This Holiday Season
On November 16, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) held a media briefing regarding protecting your health and others during the holiday season.
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Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer in the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases
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Dr. Jasmine Zapata, Chief Medical Officer in the DHS Bureau of Community Health Promotion
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Tom Haupt, State Influenza Coordinator and Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist
A recording of the media briefing is available on YouTube.
ICYMI: DHS Announces Opportunity to Order More Free COVID-19 Self-Tests: All Wisconsin Households Eligible to Place One Order Each Month Starting in November
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging Wisconsinites to order free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and have them delivered directly to their house through the state-supported Say Yes! COVID Test program. As of November 17, 2022, Wisconsin households are eligible to place an order every month for one free test kit that contains five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests on the Say Yes! COVID Test website.
“With the holidays coming up, we want to give Wisconsinites the tools they need to safely celebrate with their loved ones,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “These free self-tests are delivered right to the door, allowing people to take a COVID-19 test at home and make decisions that will keep those around them safe.”
Reminder: How to Check Revised Expiration Dates on COVID-19 Self-Tests
If you think any package of COVID-19 tests you have at home may be expired, check before you throw it out! The FDA has extended the expiration dates for many of the COVID-19 self-tests that are widely available at stores and pharmacies. To check if your package of COVID-19 tests has an extended expiration date, people can find more information here on all the FDA-authorized brands, as well as specific information on iHealth brand tests that includes a tool to search your package’s expiration here.
ICYMI: Free Telehealth Consultation and Treatment is Available for All Wisconsinites Ages 18 and Older
Did you know that you only have 5 days to take antiviral treatment, such as Paxlovid, after your COVID-19 symptom start? For people with mild to moderate COVID-19, these treatments can reduce the chance for severe illness and prevent hospitalization.
Wisconsin residents ages 18 and older who test positive for COVID-19 now have free, direct access to video or telephone consultation with a health care clinician. No insurance required. If a COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment such as Paxlovid is prescribed during a telehealth visit, you can choose to have your prescription made available for pickup at a pharmacy or sent to you overnight if a pharmacy is not available in your area.
The COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth service is available statewide, and consultations are available in multiple languages. Consultations are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This service is not for medical emergencies or for treatments other than COVID-19.
Data
Know Your Community Level
Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has increased to around 870 new cases a day, taking steps to control the spread of COVID-19 is still important for you and your family. Many people, particularly older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, remain at risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Help to ensure that hospitals have the capacity to provide the full range of health care to the communities we live in by following CDC and DHS guidance.
As of November 25, 2022, CDC data indicate no Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category. However, 12 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 60 are experiencing a low COVID-19 Community Level. If you travel to or reside in a county with a high COVID-19 Community Level DHS recommends wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
In addition, DHS urges all Wisconsinites to take the following actions to help keep COVID-19 levels low in our communities:
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Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines by getting all recommended vaccines and booster doses.
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Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Self-tests can be purchased at local pharmacy or retail stores. In addition to at-home self-tests, community testing sites remain accessible across Wisconsin. Find a site near you by dialing 211 or visiting the DHS Community Testing information page.
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Stay home if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19 and talk to a health care provider or visit a community clinic to ask about available treatments. For free, confidential assistance finding a doctor or community clinic near you, dial 211.
Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 should continue to follow isolation and quarantine recommendations.
To find the latest guidance for your community, visit COVID.gov.
COVID-19 by the Numbers
• Cases
• Deaths
• Disease Activity
• Race and Ethnic Disparities
• Vaccine
Resources
Access to Health Care
 211 is Wisconsin’s statewide community referral service available to help you find community and health resources related to COVID-19, as well as resources that can help Wisconsinites access support around housing, finances, food access, childcare, or emotional support. Find an online directory to identify further information by topic, or available resources. And remember, if you want free, confidential personal assistance on these or other topics, dial 211 OR 877-947-2211, text your ZIP code to 898-211 or visit 211Wisconsin.org. A friendly voice is there to talk with you every day.
Other Languages, Graphics, and Print Materials
DHS materials are available in multiple languages as electronic files you can view online or download and print. You can use these materials at home or for your business. Visit the DHS website to view what resources are available to you.
Social Media
Follow DHS on social media for the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout.
Newsletter
Looking for previous newsletters? To view past versions of this newsletter, visit the DHS website.
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