Milwaukee Health Department Expects Order Update Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases

Milwaukee health officials think COVID-fatigue and the UK variant of the virus may be leading to a rise in COVID-19 cases despite vaccinations becoming widely available, causing them to reduce capacity limits in the city.

According to the press release from the Milwaukee Health Department, the seven-day rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people is at 95.6. This number is considered to show “substantial transmission,” meeting the criteria to move into Phase 5, according to the Health Department. This is in comparison to Phase 6, which the City of Milwaukee was in as of March 18, indicating “moderate transmission.” This change in phases will decrease capacity limits of restaurants, bars, museums and other places where people gather, unless they have a pre-approved safety plan.  The complete Updated Gating Criteria can be found on the Milwaukee Health Department’s website.

“It seems counterintuitive. At a time when vaccinations are available and everyone is aware of safe practices, we should see COVID-19 infection rates declining,” said Johnson. “This is not the case.”

Wisconsin’s eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine opened up to everyone ages 16 and older on April 5, just four days before the Health Department’s announcement.  As of April 11, 34.9% of Milwaukee residents had received their first dose of the vaccine, and 20.4% of Milwaukee residents have both doses, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine data. The Milwaukee Health Department said the supply of vaccines is meeting the demand, even with the increased number of eligible residents.

“We really have heavily focused our efforts to try to address the racial disparity in vaccine distribution and the most vulnerable populations who have not received the vaccine,” Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Kirsten Johnson said.

The Milwaukee Health Department has been focusing on placing mobile vaccination sites in areas of Milwaukee that have low vaccination rates and high vulnerability, Johnson said. The Health Department has been working with the Medical College of Wisconsin and Doctor Ben Weston to put together a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) that helps them to determine these more vulnerable populations based on socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation. Johnson said the Milwaukee Health Department’s goal is to have 2,000 doses per day going to the neighborhoods with high vulnerability and low vaccination rates.

Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic asked Johnson in the Public Safety and Health Committee meeting if variants are contributing to the spike in cases. “I feel there’s a lack of information and misinformation on the variant and vaccination protection for the variant,” Dimitrijevic said.

Johnson said COVID-19 variants, including the B.1.1.7, also known as the UK Variant, may factor into the increase in cases. She said that it is “likely” that variants are contributing to the increase. 

“The presence of newer, easily transmitted COVID variants is one likely culprit; another factor is COVID-fatigue,” said Johnson in the press release. “With the finish line in sight, we all need to take every reasonable precaution to limit the spread of the virus.”

On March 18, Johnson lifted many restrictions and moved Milwaukee from Phase 4 to Phase 6, after almost two months of numbers and test positivity decreasing, according to her presentation at the Public Safety and Health Committee Meeting on April 1. She noted that Milwaukee skipped Phase 5 with the decision on March 18, saying “we were looking good.”

“I was quite comfortable with the order that was put in place, and I did that in concert with our medical advisor, medical director here in the Health Department and in consult with other public health advisers,” Johnson said at the meeting.

Johnson also said that the Health Department will not be changing orders on a week-to-week basis, but rather reviewing them monthly. She said any new orders will not impact schools, nor will they affect locations, such as bars and restaurants, that already have safety plans in place. Johnson said there are only about 100 bars and restaurants in the city that do not have their own safety plans and would have to change with a new order.

The Milwaukee Health Department has also been working to create effective communication efforts to encourage people to get the vaccine and continue to practice safe precautions, according to Johnson. One communication strategy Johnson highlighted was their plan to canvas door-to-door to provide Milwaukee residents with one-on-one education about the vaccine, where they can ask questions. Johnson said they will look to community and neighborhood leaders, both formal and informal leaders, to collaborate with the effort. She also said the Milwaukee Health Department Hotline is a way for people to call, ask questions and find places to get vaccinated.

Milwaukee residents can schedule appointments to receive the vaccine via the Milwaukee Health Department’s scheduling portal and vaccine information website or by calling 414-286-6800.  Wisconsin Pharmacies including Costco, CVS, Kroger, Meijer, Walgreens and Walmart have vaccine appointments available for Wisconsin residents. UW-Milwaukee has a community vaccination site as well, and a list of other places to get vaccinated on their COVID-19 Updates website.