Wisconsin Department of Health Services Digital Updates

COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Update

Wisconsin Department of Health Services sent this bulletin at 04/20/2022 12:09 PM CDT

COVID-19

Weekly Update: April 20, 2022

DHS Announces Updates to COVID-19 Data Webpages

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced updates to the COVID-19 metrics and data shared on the department’s website. The changes continue DHS’ commitment to providing timely and relevant data and align the metrics DHS is tracking and sharing to the latest scientific recommendations from the CDC while providing a more streamlined data experience for visitors to the DHS website.

The changes include updates to the COVID-19 Summary dashboard, including adding the CDC Community Levels and removing the Disease Activity dashboard. In addition, the COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination data pages were updated and several data visualizations were removed, including maps of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccinations by county, census tract, municipality, school district, and ZIP code. This data remains available to download.

View the press release on these changes and stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 data on the DHS COVID-19 data pages.

COVID-19 Vaccines are Still Free to All and Available

Due to a lack of funding, the federal government’s Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced that its COVID-19 Uninsured Program will no longer accept claims for reimbursement of costs associated with administering COVID-19 tests or vaccines to uninsured and underinsured individuals. DHS wants to assure Wisconsinites that despite these changes, you do not need insurance or an ID to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Wisconsin vaccine providers must administer the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of your ability to pay COVID-19 vaccine administration fees or your insurance coverage status.

Staying Up to Date with Vaccines

Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines ensures you have the best protection possible against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

To be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you will need to be fully vaccinated and get a booster dose when eligible.

The primary series includes two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary dose for the best protection.
Everyone 12 years and older should get a booster dose to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boost protection against COVID-19.

Vaccine Distribution Summary

Check out the latest data on Wisconsin’s vaccination effort. DHS updates provider data every Tuesday, and the administered number is updated every weekday at 2 p.m.

COVID-19 Testing: Help Stop the Spread

If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, using a COVID-19 self-test is a safe and highly effective method for detecting COVID-19 infection. Testing helps stop the spread of COVID-19 and protects individuals, families, and communities.

Across Wisconsin, free testing options remain available. These include ordering free at-home tests from the federal government and getting tested at any community testing site in Wisconsin. Self-tests can also be purchased at local pharmacy or retail stores. Find a testing site near you by dialing 211 or visiting the DHS Community Testing information page.

COVID-19 Treatment Available Statewide

Treatments for COVID-19 are now available across Wisconsin. If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, get tested right away and talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options. Your healthcare provider will review your health history and determine whether any of these treatments are right for you.

Most of the available treatments need to be started within 5 days of symptom onset, so do not delay. Get tested right away. Click here to learn more about available treatments.

ICYMI: Recent COVID-19 News

Gov. Evers' “Get Kids Ahead Initiative” Awards $15 Million to Help Nearly Every Wisconsin School District Provide School-Based Mental Health Support for Kids

DHS Recognizes National Public Health Week During Thank You Tour

Gov. Evers and DHS Recognize State Workers and Interagency Cooperation for PPE Distribution in Wisconsin

COVID-19 by the Numbers

Resilient Wisconsin

Building resilience—the ability to adapt and recover from adversity—within ourselves, our relationships, and in our communities matters. When we find healthy ways to cope with trauma and toxic stress, especially during tough times, we take a step closer to becoming more resilient.

If you are experiencing emotion distress, or the effects of collective trauma, the Disaster Distress Hotline is here for you. Call or text 800-985-5990 to be connected with a trained, caring counselor – 24/7. Remember, it is okay to ask for help.