MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has endorsed new U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) standards that call for people to continue wearing masks in public even after being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. In modifying earlier guidelines, the CDC this week stated that people who have been vaccinated are no longer […]
Tag: wi dhs
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
New Program Offers COVID-19 Vaccines at Area Walgreens
MADISON – COVID-19 vaccines will be available at 178 Wisconsin Walgreens pharmacies, including eight in Racine starting Friday, according to the state Department of Health Services (DHS). DHS officials cautioned that vaccine supplies are limited (approximately 100 doses per store location) and eligible residents are required to make advance appointments via the Walgreens website. Groups […]
Posted inLocal news, Weather
ReadyWisconsin Offers Safety Tips to Deal with Dangerously Cold Temperatures
With dangerously cold temperatures settling in over the state during the weekend and throughout this week, ReadyWisconsin is urging everyone to take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. The National Weather Service is forecasting arctic air will linger across the state. Dangerously cold wind chills, some falling below -30 degrees Fahrenheit, are […]
Posted inHealth, Local news
Peer-Run Respite for Veterans Now Open
The nation’s first respite home managed by veterans for veterans experiencing mental health and substance use challenges is now open in Pewaukee. Known as a peer-run respite, the R&R House is operated by Mental Health America of Wisconsin under a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). “We are pleased to partner with […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Some FoodShare Households Will Receive Additional Benefits for January
Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is able to provide FoodShare households with the maximum monthly benefit amount based on the number of eligible people in their household if Wisconsin has declared a public health emergency. Since Wisconsin’s public health emergency remains in effect through January, […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
DHS Announces Weekly Newsletter to Keep Public Informed of COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Progress
The Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today a newsletter the public can sign up for to get direct information about the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout. Every Friday, a COVID-19 update newsletter will be sent via email to people who sign up to receive it. Registration is now open, and archived copies of the […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Launches in Wisconsin
WI Exposure Notification, a new mobile app to assist in notifying contacts of people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19, is now live. The voluntary app complements the state’s and partner agencies’ efforts in contact tracing by letting Wisconsinites know faster if they’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, allowing them to take […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Second Vaccine Expected to Be Administered Soon
MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) officials expect shipments of a COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Moderna, to arrive in the state this week. Front-line healthcare workers will be the first to be vaccinated. While no specific timetable has been established for distributing the Moderna vaccine in Wisconsin, the DHS notes having the vaccine […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
Wisconsin COVID-19 Exposure Mobile App Coming Soon
MADISON – WI Exposure Notification, a new mobile app to assist in notifying contacts, allowing close contacts of those with a positive test to take quicker action will go live for Wisconsinitesnext Wednesday (Dec. 23). The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Thursday that the voluntary app uses Bluetooth technology and is available for download in […]
Posted inCORONAVIRUS
COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Underway In Racine County; Public Asked To Be Patient
RACINE COUNTY – Planning has started for how the COVID-19 vaccine may eventually be distributed in Racine County, local officials reported Friday. However, details are few and residents are urged to be patient and continue to follow public health guidelines. The Central Racine County and City of Racine Public Health Departments, along with the Racine […]
Posted inOpinion
State must do more to promote openness
YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW / BILL LUEDERS Last January, a person involved in local emergency management asked the Office of Open Government, part of the state Justice Department, whether emergency preparedness coalitions run by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are subject to the state’s open meetings and open records laws. The answer to […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Nearly 60,000 Wisconsinites Get Covered during First Three Weeks of Open Enrollment through Healthcare.gov
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, with Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Mark Afable and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm, announced that between Nov. 1 and Nov. 21, 57,558 Wisconsinites enrolled in a healthcare plan for 2021 through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Health Insurance Exchange on Healthcare.gov. Wisconsinites can still enroll through […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
DHS Launches Multimedia Campaign Encouraging Wisconsinites to Enter Health Care Field
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today the launch of WisHealth Careers, a multimedia campaign to encourage Wisconsinites across the state to enter the health care field. “Our ability to fight COVID-19 depends on having a robust workforce caring for […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news
Federal Lost Wages Assistance Available
MADISON – The Federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program is now available to eligible state residents. LWA provides an additional $300 weekly unemployment benefit to individuals unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in August and September. The program was announced last month and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) started processing payments on Sept. […]
Posted inGovernment, Kenosha Government, Kenosha Lens, Local news
Additional Benefits For Some FoodShare Households This Month
MADISON – Wisconsin’s ongoing public health emergency – related to the COVID-19 pandemic – means that households not currently receiving the maximum FoodShare benefit this month will be getting additional benefits bringing them up to the maximum amount. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reported that the benefits are being provided under the federal […]