MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced updates to its immunization requirements for children in childcare centers and schools. The new requirements include updated guidelines for meningitis and whooping cough immunizations, and documentation of previous chickenpox infection by a qualified medical professional. There are no changes to the existing exemptions for […]
Tag: DHS
Posted inHealth, Local news
DHS urges flu vaccination now, Wisconsin among 43 states with high case levels
MADISON – With influenza (flu) cases on the rise in Wisconsin and nationally, the state Department of Health Services (DHS) urges residents to get their flu vaccinations right away. The most recent data compiled by the DHS shows that Wisconsin is among 43 states reporting high levels of flu activity. Influenza (flu) is spreading throughout […]
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 […]
Posted inGovernment, Health, Parenting, Schools
DHS Urges COVID-19 vaccination for a healthy 2022-2023 school year
The 2022-2023 school year is approaching for Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urges parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. If your child has received their COVID-19 vaccines, it is important they stay up to date with their booster vaccines. This is crucial, even for students who will be attending […]
Posted inHealth, Local news
DHS expands monkeypox vaccine eligibility; 14 cases in Wisconsin
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) this week announced expanded eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. To date, DHS has been allocated 1,486 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine from the federal government, which is enough vaccine for 743 people to complete the two-dose vaccine series. As of Wednesday, DHS had identified 14 cases of […]
Posted inHealth, Kenosha Lens, Local news
Kenosha County reports 1st monkeypox case
KENOSHA COUNTY – Kenosha County’s first confirmed case of monkeypox (orthopoxvirus) has been identified, Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit announced Monday. Contact tracing is underway, and the risk to the general public is low, she added. “While monkeypox is certainly contagious, it does not spread easily from person to person,” Freiheit said in a […]
Posted inCommunity, Non-Profits, Things To Do
10 Racine County stories you may have missed this week, special bonus story included
What’s happening in Racine County this week? The news is ever-changing and evolving; it’s important that you stay informed. From local events to crime reports, stay in the know. In case you’ve missed the local news, catch up now on these 10 stories. 1. Racine Public Library: 125th-anniversary block party The Racine Public Library is turning another […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends the COVID-19 Vaccine for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older. This recommendation is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that children ages 6 months through 5 years old, should be vaccinated against COVID-19. Children within this age group are now able to […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
COVID-19 vaccine boosters now recommended for those ages 5 and older
Children ages 5 to 11 years old are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that children in this age group should receive booster vaccines. Boosters should be given five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccination series. […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS, Health, Local news
COVID-19 Community Levels ‘high’ for Racine, Kenosha, 5 other counties; mask recommendation made by DHS
MADISON – As of May 12, the COVID-19 Community Levels in Racine, Kenosha and five other counties in Wisconsin have been flagged as high. Due to the rising cases, DHS is encouraging residents living in the following counties to wear masks while in public indoor spaces: Barron, Kenosha, La Crosse, Monroe, Racine, Rusk, and Vernon. […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS: Wastewater shows COVID increase, but significance not yet certain
by Erik Gunn, Wisconsin ExaminerMarch 15, 2022 Concentrations of the virus responsible for COVID-19 in wastewater in some Wisconsin cities have been increasing, state health officials confirmed Tuesday, but the significance of that development isn’t clear. Wastewater virus testing “has been shown to be a leading indicator of cases,” according to Elizabeth Goodsitt, a spokeswoman […]
Posted inHealth, Local news
Listeria Outbreak Hits Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has declared an outbreak of Listeria infections. The outbreak is linked to packaged salads that are produced by Dole. DHS is currently working with state and federal partners to investigate the multi-state outbreak of Listeria infections. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is […]
Posted inGovernment, Home
Gov. Evers, DHS Urge Wisconsinites: Test Your Home for Radon Exposure
Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are urging Wisconsinites to test their homes for radon exposure. Radon is an odorless and radioactive gas. It is present in the ground and can enter buildings through its foundations. According to DHS, about 1 out of 10 homes in Wisconsin has high radon […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Wisconsin Submits Plans to Support Mental Health and Substance Use Services
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 funding—part of the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law in March—will add $24.6 million to mental health services and $22 million to substance use […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Governor Evers, DHS Urge COVID-19 Vaccination Ahead of 2021-2022 School Year
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. “Getting vaccinated now means […]