Late this morning Governor Tony Evers declared a public health emergency due to new Wisconsin cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Five new cases have occurred just this week, and Wisconsin also has 37 residents returning to Wisconsin who may have been exposed to the virus on a Princess Cruise Ship. Those travelers will be monitored in self-quarantine for 14 days.
“We have been working aggressively to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Evers said in a press release, “and this declaration allows us to get the resources we need to continue to be proactive when it comes to protecting Wisconsinites.
“It is the latest step in the work our state agencies have been doing around the clock with our health care partners to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic,” Evers said.
The declaration triggers the state’s additional power to acquire and stockpile drugs, make assistance available to local health departments and allow the National Guard to assist in any necessary state response.
“We appreciate Governor Evers taking this proactive step to marshal Wisconsin’s resources and partner with our hospitals and health systems on further COVID-19 developments,” WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding said following the declaration. “The state’s health care infrastructure continues to prepare for any potential surge in caseload due to the virus, and all private and public entities must continue to collaborate and communicate as the situation develops.”
COVID-19 Website Resources
WHA’s website now includes links to the most useful and trustworthy COVID-19 information and resources. Click
here to view that information, which will be updated periodically as the current pandemic evolves.
WHA will continue to collaborate with member hospitals and health systems as well as local, state and federal officials as the COVID-19 situation develops.