Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, and resources for the week of December 20, 2022.
Please note that the COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Update bulletin will not be distributed on December 27, 2022, or January 3, 2023. The bulletin will resume the week of January 10, 2023.
Happy Holidays from DHS!
Say it ain't "snow"!! Updated COVID-19 boosters are now available to provide increased protection against Omicron variants. The updated COVID-19 booster is strongly recommended for everyone 5 years and older. See the data that shows that getting the updated booster is the best way to protect yourself this winter: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status
Find a location near you offering the updated COVID-19 vaccine by visiting www.vaccines.gov.
DHS News
Nearly Everyone Ages 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging Wisconsinites to get an updated COVID-19 vaccination and their annual flu shot before the holidays. People can safely get their COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines at the same time, including the annual flu vaccine.
With the recent actions taken by the FDA and the CDC, the updated vaccine is now also recommended for most of the youngest children. Children 6 months through 4 years of age are now eligible to receive the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (if they have not already completed the original three-dose Pfizer primary series), and children 6 months through 5 years of age are now eligible to receive the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
For the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, children 6 months through 4 years of age who have begun their original primary Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series are eligible to receive a third dose of the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after their second dose to complete their primary series.
Children 6 months through 4 years of age who received three doses of the original Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary series are not eligible at this time to receive an updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose. This is being evaluated by the FDA and more information will be available on it in early 2023. Parents and guardians should discuss vaccine questions with their child’s health care provider or call 211.
If you have not yet received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, it is never too late to get vaccinated. The update COVID-19 vaccine provides increased protection against Omicron variants which cause most of the current COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 vaccination is still available with no out-of-pocket cost. Anyone can schedule an appointment for the vaccine. Vaccination sites across Wisconsin may choose to provide vaccines to specific age groups. People are encouraged to check with their local health clinics or visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites for specific age groups.
For free, confidential support finding health care and community resources near you, dial 211. For information, resources, and data related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the COVID-19 vaccine webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information about COVID-19.
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ICYMI: 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. All Wisconsinites ages 6 months and older can get their flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine or 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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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:
DHS Announces Opportunity to Order Free COVID-19 Self-Tests: All Wisconsin Households Now Eligible to Place One Order Each Month
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.”
Free Telehealth Consultation and Treatment 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.
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.
Are You Looking for Information About Medicaid During the Public Health Emergency Unwinding?
The federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration led to many temporary policies to support the well-being of Wisconsin residents during the pandemic. Most notably, states were required to maintain continuous coverage for Medicaid members. Once the declaration expires, members must complete an application or renewal process to keep their coverage. DHS urges BadgerCare+ and Medicaid members to log on to access.wi.gov and review their listed contact information for future communications.
Data
Know Your Community Level
Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has continued to increase to around 1,024 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 16, 2022, CDC data indicate no Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category. However, 25 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 47 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 wearing 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
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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