Weekly Update: March 2, 2022
New COVID-19 Metrics: CDC Community Levels
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services supports the new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) metrics used to determine the severity of COVID-19 in communities. With widespread access to vaccines and testing, available treatment options, and high levels of population immunity, a new approach to monitoring and preventing COVID-19 is necessary. On February 25, 2022, the CDC released new COVID-19 Community Levels to help communities and individuals make decisions about prevention strategies and behaviors that more accurately reflect the goals of this new approach. COVID-19 Community Levels are determined using three key metrics:
- The number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
- New COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.
- The average percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in the past 7 days.
Regardless of where you live, the CDC and DHS recommend that everyone stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. It is also recommended that everyone continue to wear a mask around others and get tested for COVID-19 if they are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. We urge all Wisconsinites to continue using a combination of COVID-19 prevention strategies that will allow us to continue with our daily lives while keeping community members safe and healthy.
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Community Outreach Grants Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations
On February 23, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced a total of $11.6 million to 135 organizations through the Vaccination Community Outreach Grant. This grant program was designed to support marginalized and medically underserved populations across the state and to address inequities in COVID-19 vaccine access, low access to COVID-19 resources, and vaccine confidence. Organizations funded under this program include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), school districts, local/tribal health departments, and community-based organizations. Grantees will serve as trusted messengers within their community through the fall of 2022.
This work is a continuation of efforts completed by 101 organizations from April-October 2021. This program has administered over 131,000 vaccinations, and has held 4,170 vaccination events and 24,415 educational events. In 2022, grantees remain committed to addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and minimizing accessibility issues for members of their population. Strategies to improve access and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines include creating culturally specific messaging and engaging in outreach with local businesses, community leaders, and community health workers. See the full list of awardees and brief descriptions of their plans.
View our Updated Vaccine Data Dashboard!
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) updated the COVID-19 vaccines for Wisconsin residents dashboard to include booster and additional dose data. A new button allows users to filter vaccination coverage to view data for those who have received an additional or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The most recent data show 32.5% of Wisconsinites have received an additional or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
DHS has also made several other updates to COVID-19 data visualizations. Date sliders have been added to COVID-19 cases and deaths graphs by county. Users can use the sliders to zoom in on data within a certain date range. The facility-wide investigations page has been updated to include both confirmed and probable cases. Data prior to February 1, 2022 uses only confirmed cases of COVID-19. Additionally, new variables related to positive PCR/NAA tests were added to the historical download data table at the state and county levels. Users will now be able to download all important metrics, including percent positivity, in one file.
DHS strongly recommends that everyone who is eligible to get a booster should get one as soon as possible. The booster dose can strengthen and extend their protection against infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Booster doses are recommended for everyone ages 12 and older. People who received Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are eligible to receive a booster dose at least 5 months after completing their primary vaccine series. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently the only one recommended for 12- to 17-year-olds at this time.
ICYMI: Recent COVID-19 News Releases
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