KENOSHA ⏤ Kenosha County Medical Examiner Patrice Hall is strongly urging the public to stay home and avoid gatherings during the holidays. The impetus for her pleas? An increased case volume in her office in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The numbers are stark,” said Hall, whose office handles death investigations and signs […]
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KCDHS updates committee members on efforts to combat systemic racism in Kenosha County
KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ Since declaring racism a public health crisis in August, many have wondered what Kenosha County is doing to continually combat systemic racism. Division of Health Director John Jansen described steps the county has taken at a Human Services Committee meeting Tuesday night. These steps include the creation of the Kenosha County Racial […]
Kenosha County officials working on local COVID-19 vaccine distribution
KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ On Tuesday, county officials announced plans for the first phase of local distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, which began nationally Monday. However, the general public can expect to have to wait to receive the vaccine until the second or third quarter of 2021. Collaborative effort The county’s Tuesday announcement stated the county […]
Schools should switch to virtual learning, Kenosha health officer says
KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ Kenosha County officials are recommending that local schools move to virtual-only instruction until January due to COVID-19. Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit is “strongly recommending that all schools within the county ⏤ K-12, colleges and universities ⏤ switch to virtual instruction.” She calls for the virtual period to last from Nov. […]
Kenosha County backs shorter quarantine for some COVID-19 close contacts
The Kenosha County Division of Health will support a new, shortened 10-day quarantine time for symptom-free individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit said Monday. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that the 14-day quarantine length for close contacts […]
Kenosha County COVID-19 vaccine clinics to relocate
Kenosha County Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics are relocating from the Job Center to a larger venue beginning next week. Starting Wednesday, March 10, clinics will take place in the former Shopko building at 5300 – 52nd St. in Kenosha. Further, the new facility will be able to accommodate vaccinations of up to 2,700 people […]
Kenosha County Emergency Management COVID-19 Virus
As of Friday, Kenosha County had some 7,200 cumulative, confirmed cases of the virus —a total that increased by more than 700 cases over the course of the week. “We are in an urgent crisis with COVID-19,” said Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser.“I am calling on our community to take this very seriously —to take […]
Kenosha County recommends 10-day quarantine protocol for symptom-free COVID-19 contacts
KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ The Kenosha County Division of Health Monday unveiled a new 10-day isolation period protocol for those exposed to COVID-19. However, the 10-day quarantine window only applies to those who are symptom-free. Those who show symptoms are encouraged to follow the 14-day quarantine protocol. “Kenosha County supports the 10-day quarantine for close contacts, […]
HUD awards $4.4M to address lead-based paint in Kenosha homes
KENOSHA ⏤ The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Kenosha $4.4 million to help eradicate lead-based paint in local homes. HUD announced the award during a press conference at the Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Rd., Thursday morning. The amount comes from a total of $7.8 million awarded to the state. HUD […]
University of Wisconsin-Parkside staff member positive for COVID-19
SOMERS – A University of Wisconsin-Parkside staff member has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the university, and the Kenosha County Division of Health announced Wednesday. The staff member is in isolation per Wisconsin Department of Health Services‘ recommendation. The Kenosha County Division of Health is currently working with UW-Parkside to assist in identifying and […]
Kenosha County COVID-19 Vaccine Update
With the State of Wisconsin’s announcement Tuesday that all adults 65 and over will be eligible to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine next week, the Kenosha County Division of Health looks forward to announcing more information about the local distribution of the vaccine as soon as it is available, Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit said. […]
Kenosha health officials encourage compliance with Evers’ new order
The message from Kenosha County officials is clear: Follow Gov. Tony Evers’ new COVID-19 emergency order. In a release issued Wednesday, the Kenosha County Division of Health strongly urged residents and businesses to comply with the statewide order. The order notably limits “public gatherings, prohibiting groups larger than 25 percent of an indoor space’s occupancy […]
COVID-19 cases reach record levels in smaller Racine County communities
RACINE COUNTY – County officials Thursday urged residents to follow recommendations for preventing COVID-19 virus transmission after seeing a sharp spike in new cases during September. Jurisdictions covered by the Central Racine County Health Department (CRCHD) are now in the “very high risk” category. The CRCHD covers the Villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, North Bay, […]
Kenosha Unified to continue in-person instruction
KENOSHA ⏤ The Kenosha Unified School District will remain open, sticking to its own return plan for the pandemic. In a letter to KUSD families this week obtained by the Observer, the district states that, while officials understand the premise of the recent recommendation by the Kenosha County Division of Health to switch to virtual-only […]
West Nile virus found in Kenosha County bird; preventive measures urged
With the discovery of a dead bird that tested positive of West Nile virus in Kenosha County, it’s a good time to review the preventive measures that should be taken to prevent its spread. The Kenosha County Division of Health has reported a dead crow was found in that county on July 31 that tested […]