'We let down our guard,' Gov. Evers Says About Coronavirus Surge

MADISON, WI —Wisconsin hit a new record in coronavirus cases. The state Department of Health Services reported 3,279 confirmed new cases, breaking a record of 3,132 in less than a week. There were 34 deaths reported with a total of 1,508. To date, more than 155,000 people in Wisconsin have tested positive.

The number of people hospitalized increased from 950 to 959 within two days, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association. There were 243 patients in intensive care.

On Oct. 7, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced theAlternate Care Facility (ACF) at Wisconsin State Fair Park will begin accepting coronavirus patients within the next week, according to a news release.

In April, Evers announced the construction of the Wisconsin State Fair Park ACF as a critical extension of healthcare systems in the southeast region and across our state. The facility currently has 530 patient spaces, of which 296 include in-line oxygen care in a non-traditional, temporary environment. Funding for the ACF will come from the $445 million surge reserve fund set aside by Evers.

Evers and state health officials issued a new statewide order on Oct. 6 capping gatherings at indoor public spaces such as stores, bars, and restaurants at 25 percent capacity.

Evers directed Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue Emergency Order No. 3 limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building's total occupancy.

The order ends Nov. 6. It applies to any gatherings at locations that are open to the public such as stores, restaurants, and other businesses that allow public entry, as well as spaces with ticketed events.

According to an Associated Press report, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers believes the surge in cases is due to the Wisconsin Supreme Court striking down his “safer at home” order in May and people not wearing masks and other tips to slow the spread.

“We let down our guard,” he said on a state conference call on Tuesday.

Evers urged people to stay at home, wear masks, limit exposure to others and maintain a social distance.

“We have to get this virus under control and help flatten the curve to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed,” he said on a conference call.

Read the full story via Associated Press.