The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 6 new deaths and 1,165 new coronavirus cases Saturday, most in one day.
It breaks the previous record of 1,117 positive cases reported on Tuesday, July 21st.
State mask mandate
A statewide mask mandate is now in effect in Wisconsin, and some people are not happy about it.
Thousands showed up in Brookfield to protest the movement that requires people to wear face masks when they are in public indoor spaces.
The mandate was signed last week by Gov. Tony Evers and went into operation Saturday.
Only a few protesters wore masks during the protest, while some say they do not believe masks will help stop the spread of the virus.
Evers on Thursday gave up the statewide mask mandate amid a spike in coronavirus cases, sparking a conflict with Republican lawmakers who opposed such a demand and earlier successfully submitted it to kill a “safer home” order.
RELATED: Mandate of face mask in Wisconsin ordered by Gov. Evers as COVID-19 cases continue
Wisconsin and three other states were added to Chicago’s expanded COVID-19 travel quarantine list.
RELATED: Chicago Quarantine: Wisconsin, 3 other states added to COVID-19 travel order list
“If Chicago thinks our people need to stay home, then we better put on some damn masks and make sure we continue with the course we are in reverse,” Evers said Thursday.
WATCH: Wisconsin COVID-19 Survivor Tells People to Stop ‘Complaining’ About Extended Stay Home Order
3 DNC workers test positive for COVID-19 after screening
Organizers say three workers hired to set up the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee have tested positive for COVID-19. Daily screening for people working at the conference site, the Wisconsin Center, began last week in preparation on August 17-20. Organizers wanted to identify positive cases before the workers entered the local area and were around others. The downtown district said in a statement that staff at the Wisconsin Center “followed the guidelines set by our client regarding daily health screens.”
Wisconsin Electoral Officer: ‘Do Not Wait’ When Sending Ballots
The head of the Wisconsin Electoral Commission is asking voters not to wait to cast their ballots for the primary Aug. 11, given high demand and possible delays in sending. As of Monday, nearly 332,000 completed ballots had been received from the more than 821,000 sent to voters. That is six times the number of absent ballots sent in the primary 2018 and greater than the 645,000 total ballots that were primary in the 2016 August. Voters have until Thursday to cast an absentee ballot. The deadline to return to the polls is 8 o’clock on the eve of the election, August 11th.
Noah’s Ark Waterpark closes after 2 employees tested positive
A popular attraction in Wisconsin Dells has been closed until further notice after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus. Noah’s Ark Waterpark announced the closure Saturday on its website. In a statement, Noah’s Ark says it has implemented extensive security protocols since opening this summer. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the water park says it will work closely with the Sauk County Health Department and other experts on how to move forward. The statement says Noah’s Ark’s top priority is the health and safety of its guests and staff.
Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain is stepping down from the 2020 season
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain has become the last player to make her opt-out of the 2020 season. The Brewers announced the decision of the two-time All-Star Saturday hours after news broke that their planned home opener for a second straight day would be postponed because members of the St. Louis Cardinals positive testing for COVID-19.
Wisconsin opioid overdoses have jumped 117% since pandemic began
Wisconsin health officials say suspected opioid overdoses have increased 117% since the coronavirus pandemic began compared to the same period last year. Data from Wisconsin emergency departments shows 325 suspected overdoses from March to July 13 compared to 150 suspected overdoses over that span in 2019. Secretary of State for Health Services Andrea Palm says financial pressure and isolation could have problems with behavior and substance abuse. DHS officials say calls to the state helpline for behavioral health information have also increased.
Federal case over local Wisconsin COVID-19 orders dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by two dozen Wisconsin residents challenging a variety of local house-to-house orders introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus. U.S. District Judge William Griesbach dismissed the challenge Monday, saying those who brought it did not include all defenders in one lawsuit. The judge says that error requires that the lawsuit be dismissed, but it can be reopened. The dismissal came when Wisconsin on Tuesday broke a record high in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,117 additional cases. More than 44,000 people tested positive with 859 deaths.
The largest unions for teachers in Wisconsin are asking for online schooling
Teachers’ unions for Wisconsin’s five largest school districts are asking Gov. Tony Evers and the state’s top health and education officials to close schools at the beginning of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The letter, which was sent Monday, was signed by union leaders for teachers in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha and Racine. It was sent to Evers, Department of Public Instruction Secretary Carolyn Stanford Taylor and Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm. The districts of Milwaukee and Madison have already announced that they plan to start the school year only with online instruction and will re-evaluate later.
Wisconsin unemployment is falling to 8.5%, below the national rate
Wisconsin’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5% in June. That good news came Thursday when Democratic lawmakers issued proposals to remove obstacles and broaden access to unemployment benefits, and Gov. Tony Evers’ administration has temporarily reassigned 100 state workers to help address a backlog of claims. The Department of Employee Development has difficulty processing the claims of anyone seeking unemployment. Currently, about 141,000 people are waiting for payments. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was below the national average of 11.1% and well below the state’s high of 13.6% in April. Wisconsin added 99,300 jobs in the private sector in June.
A new survey says an unknown number of unemployed people in Wisconsin received too much, if not enough, in benefits from the state Department of Workforce in late April. The mistakes came when the department was working to turn extra money into federal aid to help those suddenly out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislative Audit Bureau said Wednesday that the department must determine how many people were sent incorrect amounts and how many, then report back by August 14th. Agent Secretary Caleb Frostman says the department is implementing all of the audit’s recommendations.
Ryder Cup postponed until 2021 in Wisconsin due to COVID-19 pandemic; was set for September 25-27
The Ryder Cup has been postponed until 2021 in Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 pandemic; it was set for Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straights.
WLS-TV contributed to this report.
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