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Wisconsin COVID-19 news, data, and resources for the week of February 7, .
DHS News
Say Yes! COVID Test order to Now Include Two COVID-19 Self-Testing Kits per Month
Every Wisconsin household placing an order through the state-supported Say Yes! COVID Test program will now receive two free COVID-19 self-testing kits. Orders can be placed on the Say Yes! COVID Test website. Each test kit includes a total of five rapid antigen COVID-19 self-tests. Households will continue to be eligible to place one order per calendar month, while supplies remain. Ordering will reopen the 1st of every month for households who placed an order during previous months. Ordering is open to all Wisconsin households, including those without health insurance. Once the tests are ordered, delivery is expected to take 1-2 weeks.
When should I take a test?
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Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should take a test immediately.
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Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should take a COVID-19 test five days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
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If you test negative with any at-home COVID-19 antigen test, take multiple tests over 2-3 days. All at-home COVID-19 antigen tests are FDA-authorized for repeat testing, or serial testing.
Updated expiration dates
The FDA has extended the expiration dates for many COVID-19 self-tests, including the tests delivered through the Say Yes! COVID Test program (iHealth). Once you receive your package, do not be concerned if the expiration date on your self-test appears to have passed. The FDA recently extended the expiration dates on iHealth brand COVID-19 self-tests from 12 months to 15 months past the initial date of manufacture. If your tests appear to be past their expiration date, you can use the lot number on the test package to look up the current expiration date on the FDA list.
If you have other brands of test kits at home, we urge you to check the FDA’s website as the expiration dates on many at-home antigen tests have also been extended. An expiration date extension means the test maker has provided evidence to the government that the tests give accurate results longer than was known when they were manufactured.
If you have questions about your test kit received through the Say Yes! COVID test program, please email customer support at syct-orders@careevolution.com.
 FDA Has Extended the Expiration Dates of iHealth At-Home COVID-19 Tests
DHS has been offering free at-home iHealth COVID-19 tests to all Wisconsin households through the Say Yes! COVID Test program since September 2022. On January 11, 2023, the FDA extended the expiration dates on iHealth brand COVID-19 at-home tests from 12 months to 15 months (a 3-month extension). If your tests appear to be past their expiration date, you can use the lot number on the test package to look up the current expiration date on the FDA list.
If you have other brands of test kits at home, we urge you to check the FDA’s website as the expiration dates on many at-home antigen tests have also been extended. An expiration date extension means the test maker has provided evidence to the government that the tests give accurate results longer than was known when they were manufactured.
If you have questions about your test kit received through the Say Yes! COVID test program, please email customer support at syct-orders@careevolution.com.
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ICYMI: Extra FoodShare COVID-19 Pandemic Benefits Ending February 2023
FoodShare members have been getting extra benefits because of a federal program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those extra benefits have been provided separately from members’ regular monthly benefits. On January 12, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that because the federal government is ending that program, members will only get their regular FoodShare benefits starting March 1, 2023.
FoodShare members will receive a letter later this month alerting them to this change. Households with emails on file will also be notified by email. Members can check the amount of their regular monthly FoodShare benefit by logging into Wisconsin’s ACCESS website or by using the MyACCESS smartphone app. Regular benefits are always deposited on the same day in the first half of each month.
Anyone who needs additional nutritional support can:
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Call 211 or 877-947-2211 to find a local food pantry.
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Check if they are eligible for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) - a federal program that provides food assistance to those with low incomes.
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Check if they are eligible for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program - a state program that helps Wisconsin families, including dads and other caregivers, with food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
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DHS Announces Immunization Updates for Children in Child Care Centers and Schools
Updates follow federal recommendations and other states to protect communities against vaccine-preventable diseases
DHS has announced updates to the immunizations needed for children in child care centers and schools. The changes include updated requirements related to meningitis and whooping cough immunizations, and that past chickenpox infection must be documented by a qualified medical professional. There is no change to existing exemption options for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. Seasonal flu vaccination or COVID-19 vaccination are not required, but remain strongly recommended.
Child care centers will need to begin working with parents now to ensure children have proper varicella (chickenpox) vaccine documentation, and schools will implement these changes for the 2023-2024 school year. The update is part of changes made to Wisconsin’s immunization of students regulation (Wis. Admin. Code DHS 144) effective February 1, 2023, and is in alignment with the administrative rulemaking process. DHS will work with its partners to ensure those affected by this change have a smooth implementation.
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.
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Data
Know Your Community Level
Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has continued to decrease to around 481 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 February 3, 2023, CDC data indicate no Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category. However, 9 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 63 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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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.
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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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