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Weekly Update: August 2, 2021
New: Growing Case Activity and Circulation of Delta Variant Prompt Updated CDC Guidance
DHS supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s updated guidance, which recommends that all unvaccinated people receive a vaccine as soon as possible and that everyone in areas with substantial and high transmission, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings.
We are seeing a steady increase of COVID-19 cases here in Wisconsin, as indicated by our rising seven-day average. This increase is driven by the highly infectious Delta variant, which is now widespread in all parts of Wisconsin, as it is across the country. As the spread increases, so does the risk of new, and potentially more dangerous, variants developing. That is why we are urging all Wisconsinites follow current best health practices for stopping the spread of COVID.
 Current best public health practices for stopping the spread of COVID-19
We need everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
- Everyone in Wisconsin ages 12 and older is eligible to be vaccinated.
- The vaccines are safe and effective.
- They are effective at preventing illness, hospitalization, and death.
- They provide protection against the Delta variant.
- If you have already had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated.
- You can find COVID-19 vaccinations at gov or call 211 or 877-947-2211.
Wearing a mask offers another layer of protection.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, you need to wear a mask.
- If you are in an area with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, as defined by the CDC, you need to wear a mask in public, indoor settings.
- This includes people who are vaccinated and people who are not. People who are vaccinated and infected with the Delta variant may spread disease to others. This was not true for previous variants of COVID-19. This new finding is the reason masks are now recommended for vaccinated people in communities with higher levels of disease transmission.
- Some settings require masks regardless of vaccination status or transmission rates.
- Health care settings
- K-12 schools, including school buses
- Places where masks are required by local or tribal laws, rules, and regulations, including local businesses and workplaces
- Correctional and detention facilities and homeless shelters
- All forms of public transportation (including planes, buses, and trains) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations
Learn more by visiting our COVID-19 Mask webpage.
If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, visit our testing page to learn the different ways you can get tested.
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What Wisconsinites Can Do to Help
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If you have already gotten your COVID-19 vaccine, please talk to your extended family, talk to your neighbors, talk to your colleagues and friends – and help them get vaccinated. This is how we stop the spread and stop new variants.
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Help stop the spread of health misinformation. The U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory about the urgent need to confront health misinformation. Below are ways you can help.
- Learn how to identify and avoid sharing health misinformation.
- If you are not sure if information is accurate, please don’t share.
- Engage with your friends and family about misinformation.
- If someone you care about has a misperception, you might be able to make inroads with them by first seeking to understand instead of passing judgment.
- Try new ways of engaging: Listen with empathy, establish common ground, ask questions, provide alternative explanations and sources of information, stay calm, and don’t expect success from one conversation.
- Address health misinformation in your community
- Work with schools, community groups such as churches and parent-teacher associations, and trusted leaders such as educators and health care professionals to develop local strategies against misinformation
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Are You a School, Employer, or Event Organizer? Host an On-Site Vaccination Clinic!
Summer programs, sporting programs, faith-based, schools, community-based organizations, or community events who want to hold an on-site clinic for a group of individuals ready to be vaccinated, can communicate their interest to DHS by filling out the vaccination clinic matching survey and learn more on the DHS COVID-19 vaccine partner resources webpage. Employers can also hold an on-site clinic for their employees and their families, visit our COVID-19: Businesses, Employers, and Workers webpage to sign up.
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Know the Facts: The COVID-19 Vaccines Work Against Variants
With the recent increase in cases, and more contagious variants spreading, like the Delta variant, you may have questions about how the COVID-19 vaccines work. And what we can do to bounce back from the pandemic. Learn the facts on DHS’s new COVID-19 variant webpage.
Know the Facts: The COVID-19 Vaccines Work Against Variants
With the recent increase in cases, and more contagious variants spreading, like the Delta variant, you may have questions about how the COVID-19 vaccines work. And what we can do to bounce back from the pandemic. Learn the facts on DHS’s new COVID-19 variant webpage.
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 Reducing Barriers to Advance Equity through COVID-19 Vaccination
As part of our $6.2 million grant program to promote vaccine equity, local and tribal health departments, vaccinators, and community-based organizations are finding ways to ensure underserved and historically marginalized populations have the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Here are a few examples of the work our partners are doing:
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Voces de la Frontera has two vaccination events coming up in Green Bay and Waukesha. Please see the details below.
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Sunday, August 8th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Voces office in Green Bay (1221 Bellevue St. Green Bay, WI 54302)
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Saturday, August 14th from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Voces office in Waukesha(305 E Main St, Waukesha, WI 53186).
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County had 672 people attend an event on July 17, where they were providing vaccine education.
- The Hmong American Center hosted a Facebook Live event last week for their COVID-19 vaccine project.
Want to Host an On-Site Vaccination Clinic?
Summer programs, sporting programs, faith-based, schools, community-based organizations, or community events who want to hold an on-site clinic for a group of individuals ready to be vaccinated, can communicate their interest to DHS by filling out the vaccination clinic matching survey and learn more on the DHS COVID-19 vaccine partner resources webpage. Employers can also hold an on-site clinic for their employees and their families, visit our COVID-19: Businesses, Employers, and Workers webpage to sign up.
Vaccine Distribution Summary
Check out the latest data on Wisconsin’s vaccination effort. DHS updates the allocated numbers and provider data every Tuesday, and the administered number is updated every weekday at 2 p.m.
COVID-19 by the Numbers
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COVID-19 Resources
Resilient Wisconsin
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it increased stress for all of us, and loss for many of us. Please remember that taking care of yourself – in addition to protecting your physical health – is taking care of your own mental well-being. Resilient Wisconsin has information and resources to help you deal with these challenges and build resilience.
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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.
Testing
If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, visit our testing page to learn the different ways you can get tested.
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Media Briefing
No media briefing held this week.
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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