State bans on gatherings of 10 or more people, restaurants ordered to close and increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases were just some of the revelations to come out in a press call with the governor and health officials Tuesday.
The state will ban gatherings of 10 or more people beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Gov. Tony Evers said the new measure would have certain exceptions like in the case of hospitals, courts and job centers.
Evers also extended the closure of all public and private K-12 schools indefinitely and called on the Legislature to waive a one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation insurance.
The state Department of Health Services (DHS) announced an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19. In total, 72 people have now tested positive for the disease.
Milwaukee, Dane and Kenosha counties all are exhibiting community spread.
Community spread is what health officials call catching a disease that cannot be attributed to travel history or contact with another known infected person.
DHS does not give more definite locations for outbreaks beyond the county level. Health officials did say they would offer specific locations for outbreaks if they are hyper-concentrated but that has not yet been the case.
In addition, all bars and restaurants will be ordered to close except for carry-out and delivery services.
"Now is the time to make a plan to stay home," said Andrea Palm, secretary-designee for DHS.
When asked about the wisdom of holding an election in the midst of a pandemic, Evers said the state could not indefinitely delay filling many crucial local elected offices.
The governor said over 500,000 Wisconsinites had already requested an absentee ballot.
Experts also said Wisconsin is running out of testing supplies but did say the state had enough for at least the next two days.
To read more go to WKOW https://wkow.com/2020/03/17/gov-evers-bans-gatherings-of-10-or-more-people/