20 Coronavirus Deaths Reported In Wisconsin; 1,221 Cases

MADISON, WI — There are now 1,221 confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin, state health officials said, and Gov. Tony Evers said the state is heading into a critical stretch for the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Officials in Fond du Lac County reported the state's 20th coronavirus-related death, saying the man was being treated for coronavirus - but did not live in the county.

On Monday, Evers said the state is "heading into the worst of the COVID-19 crisis." Evers said he's working with the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to set up voluntary isolation centers and field hospitals. "The responsible thing to is to plan for the worst and hope for the best, which is what we're doing in Wisconsin," he said Monday.

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Partnership Will Double Testing

On Monday, Evers announced a new public-private partnership to increase Wisconsin's laboratory testing capacity for COVID-19.

The Wisconsin Clinical Lab Network labs have been averaging completion of 1,500-2,000 COVID-19 tests per day, state officials estimated Monday. The expanded capacity from the state’s new public-private partnership is expected to double that capacity initially and continue to expand as additional platforms and supplies become available.

Although there is no backlog of tests, state officials said they've been working on expanding testing capacity and prioritizing tests for those who need it most, officials said. The companies mentioned in the new partnership would be providing "operational and resource support, including receiving and processing COVID-19 kits."

“Wisconsin is extremely fortunate to have these industry leaders in our own backyard,” Evers said in a statement. “They are exhibiting the right kind of leadership that all Wisconsinites deserve: stepping up with innovation, cutting down superficial barriers, and doing all they can to help keep Wisconsin communities healthy.”

Though optimistic, Evers said there is a lot of competition when it comes to securing additional supplies to continue making tests, "Wisconsin is competing with the entire world to get these supplies, this is a global crisis," he said.

Personal Protective Gear Sought

Evers said the state is trying to acquire as many personal protective equipment items as possible, through multiple channels, such as FEMA, The Strategic National Stockpile, through donations, and other ways.

Wisconsin now has a PPE Donation/Buyback program where people and organizations are able to sell the state unused equipment so that it can be re-distributed to front line health care workers.

That website can be found here: https://covid19supplies.wi.gov...

State officials are looking for everything, including: N-95 particle respirators, face masks, surgical masks, gloves, isolation gowns, coveralls, thermometers, and foot coverings among other items.

April 7 Election

On Monday, Evers reaffirmed that the April 7 election will continue as planned, after a federal judge ruled that the City of Green Bay did not have legal standing to contest the election date, citing public health concerns. The State GOP also sought to intervene in Milwaukee and Dane Counties, after clerks in both counties were accused of violating state election law by allowing voters to say they were subject to “indefinite confinement” to avoid having to upload a photo ID in order to request an absentee ballot.

"The date is set and we're encouraging lots of people to vote absentee, go online and make that happen. It's in place, but we also have several lawsuits that it's being challenged," Evers said.

Wisconsin's 20 Coronavirus Deaths

20. March 29 - Fond du lac County - Health officials said a man who was being treated for coronavirus - but did not live in the county - died from the virus. Officials did not elaborate further on the man's identity.

19. March 29 - Milwaukee County - Authorities said a 71-year-old African-American woman died from complications of the coronavirus just before 4 a.m. Sunday. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner said she had pre-existing medical conditions.

18. March 29 - Waukesha County - A Waukesha County employee died from the coronavirus on Sunday. Authorities have yet to say the person's age or sex.

17. March 29 - Waupaca County - Waupaca County health officials said the first person to contract the coronavirus in the county has now died.

16: March 27: Milwaukee - A 55-year-old woman was confirmed dead after she tested positive for the coronavirus and suffered complications due to the virus, officials said.

15: March 27: Sauk County - Officials reported Sauk County's first coronavirus-related death. Officials did not elaborate on the person who died.

14. March 27: Ozaukee County - An 82-year-old woman who lived at the Village Pointe Commons senior community in Grafton died due to complications related to the coronavirus.

13. March 27: Ozaukee County - An 87-year-old man who lived at the Village Pointe Commons senior community in Grafton died due to complications related to the coronavirus.

12. March 26: Iron County - One person died from the coronavirus. Officials did not provide any details about the deceased.

11. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 69-year-old man died Thursday evening from complications due to the coronavirus after spending one night in the hospital.

10. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 65-year-old Milwaukee woman died Thursday afternoon from the coronavirus after she was hospitalized the previous Saturday.

9. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 79-year-old Milwaukee woman died Thursday morning from the coronavirus after she had been in the hospital for about 10 days.

8. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 57-year-old West Allis woman died at a local hospital from complications of the coronavirus. She had been hospitalized since March 19.

7. March 25: Milwaukee County - A 60-year-old man from Milwaukee's north side died from a coronavirus-related infection at his home.

6. March 25: Dane County - A patient in their 70s died from complications due to a coronavirus infection.

5. March 23: Milwaukee County - A 54-year-old man died from complicatoins of a coronavirus infection. Officials said he had been hospitalized for only a short time before his death.

4. March 21: Milwaukee County - A 69-year-old man died from complications of the coronavirus. He had been in the hospital for several days.

3. March 20: Milwaukee County - Officials confirmed that a man in his 60s died from the virus in Milwaukee County.

2. March 19: Ozaukee County - The second person in Wisconsin who died from the coronavirus was a man in his 90s, and was from from Ozaukee County.

1. March 19: Fond du Lac County - Officials confirmed that a man in his 50s died as a result of the virus. He was Wisconsin's first confirmed fatality due to the virus.

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