MADISON, WI — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urges vaccinations for everyone eligible against seasonal respiratory illnesses after confirming the first pediatric death caused by RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is relatively common in every age group but can prove especially dangerous for the very young and the elderly. In a press release […]
Category: CORONAVIRUS
These are difficult times. Racine County Eye and Kenosha Lens is committed to helping our community understand how Racine and Kenosha Counties are responding to this worldwide pandemic. To that end, we’ve designed a Racine County COVID-19 Dashboard and a Kenosha County COVID-19 Dashboard.
https://racinecountyeye.com/racine-county-covid-19-dashboard/
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
Reported rates of RSV, flu, COVID-19 trend upward for certain age groups
While the overall hospitalization rate for patients of all ages who test positive for RSV, flu, and COVID-19 holds steady before the region heads into what is typically the worst of cold and flu season, infection levels for certain age groups are trending upwards. The most recent Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report from the Wisconsin Department […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
Former COVID-19 czar: The virus ‘new normal’ points to larger public health mission
With COVID-19 still a public health reality but no longer considered a public health emergency, it’s time for policymakers, health care systems and the public to think more broadly about public health, a former White House COVID-19 czar said Thursday. There is a new normal, said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the School of Public […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
At-home COVID-19 tests available for free starting Sept. 25
At-home COVID-19 tests are now available for order, for free, for any United States household. By placing an order, households will receive four more COVID-19 rapid tests that will be delivered directly to their home. Shipping will begin the week of Oct. 2, according to the United States Postal Service (USPS). The announcement was made […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
Wastewater testing reveals rising COVID-19 infections in Racine, hospitalization remains low
RACINE COUNTY — The number of residents infected with COVID-19 in the greater Racine area with COVID-19 is rising, according to wastewater testing, even as hospitalizations remain relatively low. According to statistics updated by the Wisconsin Department of Human Services (DHS), wastewater from Racine-area households shows a significant increase in the presence of the coronavirus […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Updated COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available in September, federal officials say
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that not only includes updated COVID-19 boosters, but the annual flu shot and the newly approved RSV vaccine. “We’re going to be encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their annual flu shot, as well as the immunizations for […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response
MADISON — The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end on May 11 per the U.S. Department of Health. Wisconsin’s case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, are significantly lower than they were during the surge in late 2021 and early 2022. Therefore, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been making plans to move […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS expands free COVID-19 testing program, 2 testing kits available each month
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has expanded its free COVID-19 testing program. Each month, Wisconsinites are now eligible for two COVID-19 testing kits at no cost. Residents can place their orders through the Say Yes! COVID Test website. Households can place an order once per month; ordering reopens on the first of […]
Posted inCommunity, CORONAVIRUS, Health, Health and Fitness, Local news, Non-Profits
A rise in cardiovascular-related deaths: highest among Asian, Black, Hispanic populations
The number of people dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S. escalating and it is impacting Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations the most. Cardiovascular disease, overall, includes coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension/high blood pressure. Coronary heart disease includes clogged arteries or atherosclerosis of the heart, which can cause a heart attack. During the first year of […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS: COVID-19 treatment drug Bebtelovimab no longer authorized
MADISON — Bebtelovimab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, formerly used to treat COVID-19, is no longer authorized in the United States. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is aware that Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are increasing in prevalence across the Midwest. However, this drug is not expected to neutralize these variants. According to the CDC […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests now available by mail for Wisconsinites
MADISON — Free, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests are now available to Wisconsin residents through the state-supported Say Yes! COVID Test program. All state households are eligible to place an order every month for one free test kit that contains five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests To order a test kit, visit the Say Yes! COVID Test […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
Wisconsin DHS: Holiday season flu, COVID-19, RSV spread may be severe
MADISON — Citing nationwide high levels of respiratory viruses, including influenza (flu), COVID-19 and RSV, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on Thursday urged all residents to get all recommended vaccines as we embark on the holiday season. The 2022-23 fall/winter season “has the potential to be severe, especially for young children and older […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health
‘Tis the season: COVID, flu vaccines recommended for everyone age 5+
Racine County residents can deck the halls with peals of healthy laughter this holiday season by making sure anyone in their household over the age of five receives both the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines can be stacked The flu, COVID, and other vaccinations can be given at the same time without outside side effects […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Pfizer Bi-Valent COVID-19 booster shots available at Regency Mall Community Vaccination Clinic
RACINE — Pfizer Bi-Valent booster shots are now available at the Community Vaccination Clinic at Regency Mall, 5538 Durand Ave. Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, providing additional protection against the COVID-19 virus. Booster recommendations Pfizer Bi-Valent boosters are authorized for use in individuals 12 years […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS: plan now for updated COVID-19 booster
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urges residents to make a plan to get boosted against the COVID-19 virus this fall. Doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters have started arriving in the state and will be delivered to providers over the next several weeks. Anyone, ages 12 and older, is eligible to […]