News Releases: 2021

As students return to school in January, Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is asking all Wisconsin parents and guardians to take action to help slow the spread of Omicron and keep children safe in schools. DHS urges parents and guardians to collaborate with local leaders, school officials, and public health on the following actions:

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to shorten isolation and quarantine periods for the general public, given what we know right now about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorizations for Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Molnupiravir, the first oral antiviral medications authorized for use in mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. The federal government will begin allocation of these medications shortly and DHS is preparing for this medication to become available to eligible Wisconsinites within the coming weeks.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reminds Wisconsinites of the various ways to get tested for COVID-19. Trusted testing partners include local health departments, community testing sites, pharmacies, and health care providers. Over the counter rapid at-home COVID-19 tests can also be used before gathering with family and friends. DHS currently provides free at-home collection kits which you can send to a lab for results for all Wisconsinites.

Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending a 20-person team from the U.S. Navy to support Bellin Health’s COVID-19 response in the Green Bay area. This assistance is critical for supporting hospitals and health care systems that are at or nearly at capacity. FEMA’s support was secured in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and Wisconsin Emergency Management.

Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued a public health advisory calling on all Wisconsinites to take urgent action to prevent additional hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. The highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Wisconsin and is anticipated to cause a rapid increase in disease activity in the coming weeks.

Wisconsin has received U.S. Department of Agriculture approval to offer the School Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program for the 2021-2022 school year. This program provides vital food benefits to families when their children are not able to get free or reduced price meals at school through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake today released the following statement after a visit to Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy:

Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are marking the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccine administered in the state. Wisconsin first began administering the COVID-19 vaccine on December 14, 2020. In one year, over 6.8 million COVID-19 primary series doses have been administered to more than 3.5 million people.

Wisconsin’s sixth peer-run respite funded by the Department of Health Services (DHS)—the La Crosse Lighthouse—is now open. It offers a place where people with mental health and substance use challenges can stay in times of increased stress or symptoms and receive support from people who have themselves been mental health and substance use service users.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that 16- and 17-year-olds receive a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced $8.1 million in grants has been awarded to organizations across the state to promote health equity in COVID-19 vaccination throughout the state. The investment aims to increase vaccinations by supporting organizations to serve as trusted messengers within their communities and reduce barriers that hinder vaccine access for marginalized or underserved populations.

Today the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has detected the newest variant of concern, the Omicron variant, in Wisconsin. The Omicron variant, B.1.1.529, was classified as a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on November 30, 2021. Variants are classified as variants of concern if they show evidence of being more contagious, causing more severe illness, or resistance to diagnostics, treatments, or vaccines.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the City of Milwaukee Health Department are investigating a COVID-19 outbreak from a wedding in Milwaukee County on November 27.

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports CDC’s recommendation that everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that anyone 18 and older receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) or Moderna vaccine. All adults are now eligible to receive booster doses, and booster doses are strongly recommended for e

DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake today at an open enrollment event in Appleton announced $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Covering Wisconsin to support efforts to make sure that Wisconsinites have the health care coverage they need for themselves and their families.

As we look ahead to the winter holiday season, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages Wisconsinites to take steps to protect their health and the health of those around them. You can celebrate safely even while the disease continues to spread.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) continues to encourage Wisconsinites to get a flu vaccine to help them stay healthy while visiting family and friends this holiday season. The flu vaccine is the best tool to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming ill with the flu.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces that children 5-11 years old are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart for full protection, and is the first and only vaccine currently available for this age group.

Deteriorating lead-based paint, especially in homes built before 1978, is the main source of lead exposure in Wisconsin. It is estimated that in Wisconsin there are more than 350,000 older homes with lead paint. Leaded dust from this paint can get on toys, fingers, and other objects that any child may put in their mouths and ingest. This exposure can impact how children’s brains develop and can lead to behavioral and developmental disabilities. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that certain populations who have increased risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine, and that individuals age 18 and older who received the J & J COVID-19 vaccine receive a booster dose at least two months after their prim

Today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced funds will be made available to promote racial and geographic equity in the COVID-19 response. DHS was awarded $27 million by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat inequities related to COVID-19 infection, illness, and death, including $9 million dedicated to rural communities.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Monroe County Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 22 cases of measles in Wisconsin. Cases have occurred among people currently living at Fort McCoy in Monroe County with recent history of travel from Afghanistan as part of the United States government’s emergency evacuation efforts.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today the relaunch of the Testing Pilot Program, now referred to as the Community Testing Support Program, to support entities across Wisconsin in offering local, convenient COVID-19 testing. This program will provide approved applicants with free testing supplies and courier services through contracted vendors, as well as reimbursement for specimen collection. 

Grants totaling more than $550,000 to increase access and enhance health care quality in rural Wisconsin were announced today by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The grants support education and training to assist rural hospitals and clinics in filling “high need, high demand” positions.

Today, Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the hiring of Dr. Michelle Robinson as the Director of the newly formed Office of Health Equity.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced that people who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 can be sent a text or email notifying them of their exposure to COVID-19. This is another way to share important information with close contacts in a timely manner. People who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to receive a phone call from a contact tracer. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages everyone to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) this fall. The flu vaccine is another layer of protection to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from a preventable disease.

Beginning November 1, 2021, Wisconsin Medicaid members who participate in eligible programs will be working with a new vendor, Veyo, to get transportation to their covered health care appointments. This benefit, referred to as non-emergency medical transportation or NEMT, is available when members lack access to transportation, require assistance because of disabilities, or have their appointments in locations or at times when public transportation is not available.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that certain populations who have increased risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after having received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

“DHS is aware of the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that people 65 and older and certain populations who are at high risk of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months after the completion of their Pfizer vaccine primary series. This decision follows the authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A youth crisis stabilization facility is now open in Wausau, with start-up funding provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The eight-bed facility operated by North Central Health Care serves young people with non-life-threatening mental health needs.

Since the launch of the $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced more than 142,400 Wisconsinites have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility to earn the vaccine reward for receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has now closed.

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston is now using an electronic health records system, marking the end of a multiyear transformation in how the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) provides services and supports at the seven state facilities for people living with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities.

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urge Wisconsinites to get vaccinated by Sunday, September 19 in order to qualify for the $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program. The program opened August 20 and is available to anyone ages 12 and up in Wisconsin who gets their first dose of COVID-19 by Sunday.

Between August 20 and September 13, more than 114,900 Wisconsinites have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, joins Timothy M.

Ahead of Labor Day weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages Wisconsinites to celebrate safely and continue taking steps to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. Wisconsin is seeing very high case activity. The 7-day average of new confirmed cases is now 1,699 and COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Wisconsin, and the Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging residents to reflect on the impact overdoses have had on families and friends of people who use drugs in every corner of the state, and to renew our commitment to end overdoses in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) have released guidance on strategies districts and schools can use to best protect students during in-person learning this school year.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted its full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will now be marketed under the name Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in people 16 years of age and older. The Pfizer vaccine is also still available under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for people ages 12 to 15 and for an additional dose for people who are immunocompromised.

As summer winds down and the risk for some illnesses spread by mosquitoes goes up, health officials are encouraging Wisconsin residents to use simple prevention steps to Fight the Bite.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a new webpage, COVID-19 Vaccine Data, which includes a visualization showing the rate of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths per 100,000 among individuals who are fully vaccinated versus individuals who are not fully vaccinated. These data are also presented by month, beginning in February 2021.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the recommendation that some immunocompromised people are recommended and eligible to get an additional dose of Pfizer (ages 12 and up) or Moderna (ages 18 and up) COVID-19 vaccine following a completed series.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is collaborating with three health care providers in different areas of the state to pilot a new approach to treating eligible BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members who have substance use disorders and at least one other health condition.

A report published today by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) shows the state’s opioid epidemic worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, DHS is unveiling new strategies to prevent and reduce further harm.

To help keep students and teachers safe during the 2021-2022 school year, the Department of Health Services (DHS) today launched a K-12 School Testing Program communications toolkit. This toolkit will support school districts and school administrators’ efforts to connect with school staff, families, and communities about the COVID-19 testing opportunities available to them through the schools participating in this program.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that Wisconsin will receive nearly $50 million in additional funding from the federal government to address mental health and substance use needs.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recommendations that were issued on July 27, 2021. The new recommendations, which are based on the most up-to-date information about the Delta variant of COVID-19, will be reflected in all DHS guidance.

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourage anyone attending school in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year to get their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. This includes children ages 12 and up as well as anyone planning to attend in-person classes at a college or university.