The updated Wisconsin coronavirus cases total 8,901, with 362 deaths. Here’s what you need to know about the WI cases and spread of COVID-19 through the state.
As the number of novel coronavirus cases increases across the U. S. and around the world, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin has reached 8,901, with 362 deaths in the state. Gov. Tony Evers has extended Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order that was originally slated to expire at the end of April for another month. The Evers extension issued April 16 keeps non-essential businesses closed until May 26 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. The latest order does allow golf courses to open and for nonessential businesses to make deliveries and have curbside pickup available. That includes arts and crafts stores making material available to produce face masks and other personal protective equipment. News of the extension comes amid growing criticism from conservatives who are pushing Evers, and governors in other states, to loosen restrictions to more quickly reopen states. Opponents of the order planned a rally at the state Capitol on April 24, the end date of the original order. We’ve compiled the need-to-know information and resources to keep you and your family informed and safe. You can find all of ABC7’s latest reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak here. Wisconsin health officials announced 8,901 COVID-19 cases and 362 deaths in the state Wednesday. There were also 1,694 hospitalizations. New budget figures for Wisconsin show an $870 million drop off in tax collections last month, the latest stark sign of how much the coronavirus pandemic is hurting the state’s economy. The bleak but expected budget figures delivered to state lawmakers Wednesday come as pressure continues to build on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to reopen business in the state faster and loosen his „safer at home“ order that runs until May 26. Former Republican U. S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde joined the conservative chorus against Evers, launching a statewide television ad Wednesday arguing for the immediate reopening the state. Wisconsin’s presidential primary election held last month in the face of the coronavirus pandemic drew concern from doctors, voters, poll workers and politicians. Now far beyond the 14-day incubation period for COVID-19 it remains largely unknown just how many people contracted the virus at the polls. Public health experts say a lack of testing, not enough contact tracing, difficulty in pinpointing where a person got infected and the fact that some people are infected but have no symptoms and therefore don’t get tested, all make it nearly impossible to quantify the impact COVID-19 during the election. Conservative justices who control the Wisconsin Supreme Court are raising questions about the legality of Gov. Tony Evers‘ administration’s stay-at-home order. The court heard oral arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit Republican legislators filed challenging the order. The Republicans argue that state Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm exceeded her authority when she extended the order until May 26. Justice Rebecca Bradley said during the arguments that the state constitution doesn’t bestow such sweeping authority on an unelected official. Justice Dan Kelly said the order creates new criminal penalties, a power reserved for the Legislature. The future of Wisconsin’s „safer at home“ order that sets to run until May 26 is at stake in a case brought by Republican lawmakers being heard by the conservative-controlled state Supreme Court. The case being argued Tuesday seeks to block the stay-at-home order issued last month by Evers‘ health department secretary as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The order closing most nonessential businesses was issued under powers of the state health secretary to deal with outbreaks of communicable diseases. Republicans argued that Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm exceeded her authority with the order. A private Catholic college in Manitowoc says it will close for good, citing in part the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Holy Family College, formerly known as Silver Lake College, will lay off employees in June and eliminate any remaining jobs by the end of August. WLUK-TV reports the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sponsored Ministries announced the decision on Monday. Leaders say enrollment and fundraising challenges were made more difficult with COVID-19. The college, founded in 1935, has about 360 students enrolled in the spring semester. A limited number of already scheduled summer term classes will be offered to allow students to complete their degree requirements. Gov. Tony Evers has announced a plan to expand testing for COVID-19, including every nursing home resident and worker. Evers announced the increased testing Monday ahead of his first meeting with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to discuss the next steps in response to the pandemic as pressure builds to more rapidly reopen the state’s economy. Gov. Tony Evers was scheduled to meet late Monday afternoon with both Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to discuss next steps in Wisconsin’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting comes the day before the Wisconsin Supreme Court was scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case brought by the Republican legislative leaders seeking to block Evers‘ „safer at home“ order that currently runs until May 26. Both Evers and Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald expressed a willingness on Friday to meet. Republicans have been increasingly critical of Evers‘ approach to the COVID-19 outbreak. Wisconsin health officials confirm another jump in new COVID-19 cases. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Sunday reported 304 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, raising the state’s total to 7,964 cases. Wisconsin recorded five new deaths from the disease, bringing the state’s total to 339. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Milwaukee County’s coronavirus death rose to 187 as of Sunday morning after four new deaths were reported. Milwaukee County reports 3,249 cases, an increase of more than 100 since Saturday. Gov. Tony Evers on Sunday announced additional drive-through coronavirus test sites in northwestern Wisconsin. A judge says four Wisconsin strip clubs should be eligible to receive emergency loans offered by the federal government to offset losses due to the coronavirus, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Saturday. U. S. District Judge Lynn Adelman on Friday issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the owners of four Silk Exotic Gentleman’s Clubs in Milwaukee and Middleton. Wisconsin officials announced 7,660 COVID-19 cases and 334 deaths in the state. There were also 75,570 negative test results and 1,591 hospitalizations. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for next week in a lawsuit seeking to block an extension of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers‘ stay-at-home order. Republican legislators filed the lawsuit directly with the high court last month after state Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm extended the order to May 26. The lawmakers say Palm lacked the authority to extend the order and asked the court to issue a temporary injunction blocking it. The court ruled 6-1 on Friday afternoon to hold oral arguments on Tuesday morning. Wisconsin officials announced 7,314 COVID-19 cases and 327 deaths in the state. There were also 72,566 negative test results and 1,544 hospitalizations. Wisconsin officials announced 6,854 COVID-19 cases and 316 deaths in the state. There were also 69,394 negative test results and 1,512 hospitalizations. Wisconsin’s chamber of commerce is urging legislators to adopt its business reopening plan. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Executive Vice President Scott Manley says Gov. Tony Evers‘ stay-at-home order is crushing the economy and that the coronavirus appears under control in the state. Manley addressed the Assembly’s Republican-controlled state affairs committee during a video conference Thursday. WMC’s plan would allow all businesses to reopen but assign them risk factors and order them to take precautions ranging from social distancing to protective gear for workers. Committee Democrats complained that no laborers or health officials were invited to speak. Gov. Tony Evers‘ attorney is warning that Wisconsin would see a confusing patchwork of county stay-at-home orders if the state Supreme Court strikes down the existing statewide mandate. Republican legislators asked the conservative-leaning high court earlier this month to strike down Evers‘ statewide order, saying the mandate is crushing the state’s economy. Multiple groups filed briefs with the court Wednesday arguing for and against the statewide order. Church groups and legal scholars contend Evers is well within his rights to impose the order. Conservative groups, including organizations representing hunters and fishing guides, insist the governor overstepped his authority. Evers‘ attorney, Ryan Nilsestuen, told reporters during a conference call that if the court strikes down the statewide order counties would be on their own and would start issuing localized stay-at-home orders. He said the rules would change for anyone crossing a county line. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced 6,520 COVID-19 cases, with 308 deaths. There were 66,630 negative test results and 1,489 hospitalizations. More than 50 people who voted in person or worked the polls during Wisconsin’s election earlier this month have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. But there are no plans to move or otherwise alter a special congressional election coming in less than two weeks. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers tried to move to a mail-order election but was blocked by the Republican Legislature and conservative controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court. He said he was confident that the May 12 special congressional election in a mostly rural district could be held safely. Gov. Tony Evers‘ has ordered state agencies to reduce spending by 5% between now and July, drawing praise from Republicans who called for even more cuts. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and budget committee co-chair John Nygren both said Wednesday that spending should be frozen starting in July. Wisconsin is grappling with steep revenue drops due to the coronavirus pandemic. Evers earlier this month told President Donald Trump in a letter that the state could lose as much as $2 million over the next year. University of Wisconsin-Madison officials are ordering most employees to take furlough days through October and top campus leaders will take pay cuts as the school tries to absorb a $100 million loss due to the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has had a ripple effect on frack sand mining plants in Wisconsin. At least three plants have shut down this month amid crashing oil and gas prices. The latest plant closure was reported this week to the state Department of Workforce Development. Eau Claire-based Smart Sand said it was laying off 55 workers at its plant in Tomah, the Journal Sentinel reported. Hi-Crush Inc. said it would permanently lay off 67 workers. A total of 35 jobs will be cut at a plant in Whitehall and 32 at a plant in Taylor. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced 208 new coronavirus cases and 19 additional deaths, bringing the state’s total positive cases to 6,289 with 300 deaths in the state. A group of labor unions are looking to join a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Tony Evers‘ stay-at-home order. Republican legislators asked the state Supreme Court on April 21 to block the order, arguing state Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm issued the order unilaterally without legislative approval. The Milwaukee Teachers‘ Education Association, Madison Teachers Inc., SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 filed a motion with the court Tuesday morning seeking to intervene in the case. The unions argue the Legislature has no standing to sue and Palm was within her rights when she issued the order. Thirty-four Wisconsin state parks and recreational areas closed for three weeks will be able to reopen as temperatures increase across the state and cases of coronavirus level off. Gov. Tony Evers announced the reopenings on Tuesday. Evers ordered the closure of 40 state parks and recreational areas on April 10, citing overcrowding that could hasten the spread of COVID-19, mounting trash, dwindling cleaning supplies and vandalism. The closures included some of the state’s most popular hiking and camping destinations, all in southern and southeastern Wisconsin. Popular parks that will reopen include Devil’s Lake, Governor Dodge and Kettle Moraine. Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced 170 new positive coronavirus cases Monday with 9 additional deaths in the state, bringing the total number of cases up to 6,081 with 281 deaths. Dog groomers, upholsterers, lawnmower repair shops and other nonessential businesses in Wisconsin that can offer contactless services will be allowed to reopen starting Wednesday. Gov. Tony Evers on Monday announced the latest loosening of the stay-at-home order designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The order also allows for outdoor recreational rentals, such as boats, golf carts and kayaks, and the opening of self-service or automatic car washes. All of the businesses must operate free from contact with customers. Meanwhile, a cluster of cases led to the closure of the JBS Packerland meatpacking plant in Green Bay. A beef production plant in Green Bay has become the latest to shut down due to coronavirus infections among employees. JBS USA said Sunday that the JBS Packerland plant would be closed temporarily. The Green Bay Press Gazette reported that at least 189 COVID-19 infections had been linked to JBS Packerland as of Friday. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brown County overall grew to 776 on Sunday, the state Department of Health Services said. The JBS Packerland plant employs more than 1,200 people and feeds nearly 3.
