Wisconsin Department of Health Services Digital Updates

COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Update

Wisconsin Department of Health Services sent this bulletin at 11/07/2022 05:00 PM CST

COVID-19 Update

Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, and resources for the week of November 7, 2022.

DHS News

DHS Launches Free Telehealth Service for COVID-19 Treatment

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces a free telehealth service to streamline access to COVID-19 treatment. COVID-19 antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, must be taken within five days of symptoms starting, even if symptoms are mild, making it essential to quickly access a clinician for a prescription. Anyone 18 and older who tests positive for COVID-19 can have a telehealth consultation with a health care clinician within 5-30 minutes. If eligible, a clinician will prescribe an oral antiviral pill that reduces the risk for severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. The prescription can be filled at over 600 pharmacies in the state. Insurance is not required. Those without pharmacy access can have their medicine shipped overnight.

To begin your free consultation, start the process online or call 1-833-273-6330.

“Providing telehealth access supports our commitment to health equity,” said Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Telehealth is a quick, easy, and free way for individuals who may not be able to travel to a clinic, or who may not have insurance or health care, to learn if antiviral pills such as Paxlovid, to treat COVID-19 are an appropriate treatment for them. We believe this will be especially important in extending our ability to serve rural, elderly, and other underserved populations.”

The COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth service is available statewide, accessible through internet and telephone, and consultations are available in multiple languages. Consultations are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. At-home COVID-19 tests or tests performed by a health care provider or at a community testing site are acceptable. The service is not for medical emergencies or for treatments other than COVID-19.

View the entire news release.

COVID-19 Testing Resources for You

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. 

COVID-19 self-tests can be purchased at local pharmacy or retail stores. Also, each Wisconsin household is eligible to order a package of COVID-19 self-tests that contain five tests for free at sayyescovidhometest.org. All health plans are also required to cover the cost of over the counter, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests for their members. COVID-19 tests may either be covered by the insurer with no upfront cost or reimbursed by the insurer.

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.

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.

Data

Know Your Community Level   

Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has decreased to around 844 new cases a day. Taking steps to control the spread of COVID-19 is 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 4, 2022, CDC data indicate 2 Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category: Burnett and Sawyer. In addition, 19 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 51 are experiencing a low COVID-19 Community Level. Residents in counties with a high COVID-19 Community Level are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.

Click here for more county level data.  

In addition, DHS urges all Wisconsinites to take the following actions to help keep COVID-19 levels low in our communities:   

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live or are traveling to and follow the associated guidelines.  
Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines by getting all recommended vaccines and booster doses. 
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.  
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.