MADISON, WI (WSAU) – State health officials and Governor Tony Evers used some of their strongest language to date about the spread of Coronavirus in Wisconsin.
The Chief Medical Officer for the Wisconsin Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Dr. Ryan Westergard, said the state is in a “crisis.” At Tuesday’s daily briefing he said, “Turning the corner on this requires that we do things dramatically different than what we’re doing. It requires all of society, all of Wisconsin, to do things differently. The likelihood that this is going to get much worse before it gets better is a real one and if we do nothing differently I would say its a high likelihood it is going to get much worse before it gets better.”
Governor Tony Evers said, “Over the last few weeks we have seen an increase in people carrying on businesses as usual, hosting parties and hitting the bars and heading to weddings. Folks, it isn’t safe. I cannot stress this enough: no party, no bar, no gathering is worth it.” The Governor said we “need to get on the same team,” adding, “we owe it to those struggling with the loss of a loved one, those who are working in our health care facilities caring for the sick and to our most vulnerable neighbors who are at high-risk.”
The Governor’s comments come one day after a lawsuit from the conservative law group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued in Polk County Court that Evers’ emergency orders are unconstitutional. Their lawsuit claims that the Governor’s earlier emergency order has expired, and further COVID-19 mask requirements need legislative approval. The Evers Administration says their latest order, mandating face-coverings through November 22, is separate because of the spread of Coronavirus among 18 to 24-year olds and on college campuses. An earlier emergency order was struck down in May by the state Supreme Court.
On Tuesday there were 640 people hospitalized with COVID-19 — a record-high in Wisconsin. 17 additional deaths were reported.
The state’s daily caseload has been trending above 2,000 in recent weeks, with nearly 20% of those being tested coming back positive.
