Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, Governor’s news, and resources for the week of December 13, 2022.
Due to the holiday season, we will be distributing a bonus newsletter on December 20, 2022, and will resume distribution again on January 10, 2023. Enjoy the holidays and stay safe!
DHS News
As the Cold Weather Brings an Uptick in COVID-19 Cases, DHS Reminds Wisconsinites How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season
Free COVID-19 self-tests and COVID-19 treatment telehealth services are available
In both 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 cases surged during the colder months. As colder weather returns, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reminds Wisconsinites of the available programs for accessing COVID-19 self-tests and treatment. All Wisconsinites are encouraged to utilize these services to keep themselves and those around them safe this holiday season.
View the entire news release here.
Free At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests can be Sent Directly to Your Home
The Say Yes! COVID Test program allows Wisconsinites to order one box of five rapid antigen tests each month, and orders can be placed starting the first of every month. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should take a test immediately. If you test positive, stay home for five days as recommended by the CDC, separate yourself from others, and notify those who may have been exposed. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should take a test five days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Anyone 18 and Older Who Tests Positive for COVID-19 Can Have a Free COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth Consultation
Free COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth consultations. People 18 and older who test positive for COVID-19 can meet via phone or internet with a healthcare clinician within five to 30 minutes. If eligible, a clinician will prescribe an antiviral pill that reduces the risk for severe symptoms, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The prescription can be filled at over 700 pharmacies. Insurance is not required; those without pharmacy access can have medicine shipped overnight. Telehealth is available statewide, with consultations available in multiple languages seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including holidays. At-home COVID-19 tests or tests performed by a healthcare provider or a community testing site are acceptable.
COVID-19 Antiviral Treatments are Free and Available for Those Who Test Positive
Free COVID-19 antiviral treatments. These are available to individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Antiviral pills 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.
COVID-19 treatments and medications should not be used as replacements for prevention measures such as wearing a mask and vaccination. For the best protection against COVID-19 and circulating variants, get vaccinated and get your booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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.
DHS Reminds Wisconsinites: It is Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine
Respiratory viruses, including Influenza (Flu), COVID-19 and RSV, continue to spread in Wisconsin. These viruses spread easily when people are gathered together. While the flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, they are caused by two different viruses and require two different vaccines. Eligible Wisconsinites can get their flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 booster at the same time.
In addition to getting vaccinated, DHS recommends Wisconsinites take simple actions to increase your protection and help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season:
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Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often at home, work, and school.
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Avoid being around people who are sick.
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Wear a high-quality mask to protect yourself and those around you and prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
If you become sick with the flu or another respiratory virus, help prevent the spread and protect others by:
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Staying home when experiencing symptoms, except to get medical care.
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Washing your hands often with soap and warm water.
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Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
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Data
Know Your Community Level
Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has continued to increase to around 982 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 December 9, 2022, CDC data indicate 1 Wisconsin counties is in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category: Iron. In addition, 33 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 38 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.
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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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
Governor’s News
Gov. Evers to Launch Statewide 'Doing the Right Thing' Listening Session Tour to Hear Directly from Wisconsinites
From the Governor's desk - The governor's listening session tour will begin in 2022 and carry on into 2023. The governor will host three budget listening sessions before the end of the year, including one virtual listening session in addition to in-person events in Kenosha and Green Bay. Additional listening session locations and dates will be announced in the new year.
All participants should register to attend at the links below. Wisconsinites are also welcome to submit written comments on any topic at any time before or after the listening sessions here. Members of the press are also invited to attend and will receive RSVP information in advance of the listening sessions.
Budget Listening Session in Kenosha
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Tuesday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m.
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Register to attend here.
Virtual Budget Listening Session
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Wednesday, December 14, at 6 p.m.
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Register to attend via Zoom here.
Budget Listening Session in Green Bay
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Tuesday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m.
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Register to attend here.
An online version of this release is available here.
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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