Posted inHealth, Local news

Childcare, school immunization requirements for 2023-24 updated by Wisconsin DHS

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 […]

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 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 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 […]

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