The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued a public health advisory in response to a surge in new positive COVID-19 cases.Continuing Coverage: COVID-19 in WisconsinThe new guidance was issued Monday afternoon. Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for communicable diseases, urged all Wisconsin residents to take action to prevent hospitalizations and deaths.The alert was in response to the omicron variant.The state called the variant highly contagious.There have been 19 cases detected so far in Wisconsin.It was expected to cause a rapid increase in disease activity in the coming weeks. Public health officials were still determining how omicron differs from other variants.Current data from other states and regions of the world showed it spreads more easily than previous strains, including the delta variant. There have been 21,301 delta cases detected so far in Wisconsin.There was a serious risk that continued, increased numbers of COVID-19 cases will overwhelm an already strained health care system.That could lead to dangerous situations where patients experiencing medical emergencies may not be able to receive immediate, adequate, life-saving attention and care due to lack of hospital capacity, health officials said.They urged all residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and get booster shots.Wear a well-fitted mask in indoor spaces with others from outside your immediate household.Keep holiday gatherings small and get tested before visiting others.Stay home if you test positive or have any symptoms.Where to get testedEvidence suggests fully boosted people are protected against serious illness and hospitalization from omicron. “I urge every Wisconsinite to take immediate action and get the COVID-19 vaccine and your booster dose if you haven’t received it already—this is critically important for mitigating surges in hospitalizations and deaths across our state,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “Please get the vaccine, continue following public health best practices, and do your part to help slow the spread of the omicron variant.”Sign up for COVID-19 email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
MADISON, Wis. —
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued a public health advisory in response to a surge in new positive COVID-19 cases.
Continuing Coverage: COVID-19 in Wisconsin
The new guidance was issued Monday afternoon.
Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for communicable diseases, urged all Wisconsin residents to take action to prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
The alert was in response to the omicron variant.
The state called the variant highly contagious.
There have been 19 cases detected so far in Wisconsin.
It was expected to cause a rapid increase in disease activity in the coming weeks.
Public health officials were still determining how omicron differs from other variants.
Current data from other states and regions of the world showed it spreads more easily than previous strains, including the delta variant.
There have been 21,301 delta cases detected so far in Wisconsin.
There was a serious risk that continued, increased numbers of COVID-19 cases will overwhelm an already strained health care system.
That could lead to dangerous situations where patients experiencing medical emergencies may not be able to receive immediate, adequate, life-saving attention and care due to lack of hospital capacity, health officials said.
They urged all residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and get booster shots.
- Wear a well-fitted mask in indoor spaces with others from outside your immediate household.
- Keep holiday gatherings small and get tested before visiting others.
- Stay home if you test positive or have any symptoms.
Evidence suggests fully boosted people are protected against serious illness and hospitalization from omicron.
“I urge every Wisconsinite to take immediate action and get the COVID-19 vaccine and your booster dose if you haven’t received it already—this is critically important for mitigating surges in hospitalizations and deaths across our state,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. “Please get the vaccine, continue following public health best practices, and do your part to help slow the spread of the omicron variant.”
Sign up for COVID-19 email alerts from WISN
Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.
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