Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, and resources for the week of November 14, 2022.
Please note: The COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Update bulletin will not be distributed on November 21, 2022. The bulletin will resume the week of November 28, 2022.
DHS News
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.
“Wisconsin hospitals are already seeing an alarming number of hospitalizations due to respiratory illnesses,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “It is essential for Wisconsinites to get their updated COVID-19 booster and annual flu vaccine to protect their health, especially with the holiday season right around the corner.”
All Wisconsinites ages 6 months and older can get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. Everyone 5 years and older should also get an updated COVID-19 booster when eligible. The updated COVID-19 booster provides increased protection against Omicron variants which cause most of the current COVID-19 cases. Data from the updated DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard show less than 15% of Wisconsinites have gotten their updated COVID-19 booster. It is especially important for older people, people with chronic health conditions, people who are pregnant, and young children to get vaccinated to prevent severe disease. For more information on current guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for children, visit the DHS website.
In addition to getting all recommended vaccines, Wisconsinites should take additional steps when planning their holiday celebrations because respiratory viruses spread more easily when people are gathered indoors.
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If you are feeling sick, get tested. Talk to a doctor about getting tested for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or other respiratory viruses. Wisconsinites can order free COVID-19 rapid tests and access testing at many community locations across the state.
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If you’re sick, stay home. Especially if you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, flu, or other illnesses. This helps protect others, especially those who are most vulnerable. Consider connecting virtually or rescheduling activities so you can celebrate safely.
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Check your COVID-19 Community Level for information about the amount of severe illness in your community before any holiday celebration. If your COVID-19 Community Level is high, wear a well-fitting mask or respirator when you are inside public places around others.
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Frequently wash your hands with soap and water to help prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses and cover coughs and sneezes to avoid spreading germs.
Find more information about COVID-19 testing on the DHS website. If you need assistance accessing other health care or finding a vaccine provider in your community, call 211 or 877-947-2211.
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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.”
View the entire news release.
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.
At-Home Tests Available for Order by Schools/Districts
Regular COVID-19 testing helps reduce community spread and keeps schools operating safely. This is especially important during the holidays as families celebrate together indoors. DHS encourages schools to distribute free at-home rapid antigen tests to students to use for “return-from-break testing."
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Schools/districts can order at-home rapid antigen tests to be distributed to students and staff. Click here to learn more and for instructions on ordering.
ICYMI: COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth 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
Although Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has continued to decrease at around 720 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 18, 2022, CDC data indicate no Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category. However, 13 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 59 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 to wear 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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Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live or are traveling to and follow the associated guidelines.
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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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