FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2021

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 202.5 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “extreme transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests is at 7.5% and remains in the “moderate transmission” category.

Due to a quality assurance process within Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Milwaukee Health Department does not have updated vaccination data to share this week. As of last Thursday, November 11, 58.9% of City of Milwaukee adult residents ages 16 and older have completed their vaccination series and 64.0% have received at least one dose.

The Milwaukee Health Department still has $25 gift cards available as incentives for any city of Milwaukee individual who receives their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Northwest Health Center, Southside Health Center, and Menomonee Valley Site. The incentive is only available while supplies last and will be distributed on-site at the time of vaccination.

The first round of COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Milwaukee Public Schools and Seton Catholic Schools will wrap up on Wednesday, November 24. After the Thanksgiving holiday, the vaccination schedule will restart to administer second doses on Monday, November 29. To date, over 700 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at these clinics.

As we head into the holiday season, the Milwaukee Health Department wants to remind all Milwaukeeans to celebrate the holidays safely. While many residents have successfully completed their vaccination series, nearly half the population remains unvaccinated, so it’s imperative to implement safety measures to keep ourselves and loved ones healthy.

“After a long twenty months, there is a lot of excitement around gathering with our loved ones this holiday season. If you are not fully vaccinated or are gathering with individuals who are not fully vaccinated, it is critical to implement safety precautions, such as masking and physical distancing, to ensure your festive gathering does not transmit the COVID-19 virus,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “We also want to take time this season to give thanks to our incredible public health professionals who have been tirelessly working throughout the pandemic to prioritize the health and safety of our community.”

If you plan to gather for the holidays, follow these recommendations from Wisconsin Department of Health Services to help minimize your risk for getting or spreading COVID-19:

• Everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated should get any of the COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible.
  • You are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after you’ve received either a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson, or the second dose of two-dose vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or were in close contact with someone with COVID-19, please get tested.
• Avoid attending gatherings if you are sick, have symptoms of COVID-19, or were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Wear a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth if you are in a public indoor setting if you are not fully vaccinated.
  • Even if you are fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask indoors if you are in an area with high transmission.
  • Consider wearing a mask at private, family gatherings if you have loved ones who may be at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
• If you gather to celebrate, try to physically distance as much as possible.
  • Gathering outdoors is always safer. Meet with friends and family for a post-meal walk outside.
  • If you celebrate indoors, provide extra space between the chairs at the table.
• Consider setting up different areas in your home for activities to allow for physical distancing.

The three Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 sites will close for testing and vaccination between November 25 to 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, there will be no mobile vaccination sites scheduled during this time. For COVID-19 vaccination or testing options, please visit HealthyMKE.com.

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Mobile Vaccination Clinic Schedule November 22 – 28, 2021

Monday, November 22

• Bethune Academy
  1535 N. 35th Street
  9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• St. Catherine
  2647 N. 51st Street
  1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 23

• LaFollette Public School
  3239 N. 9th Street
  9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Benjamin Franklin Elementary
  2308 W. Nash Street
  1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, November 24

• Summerfield United Methodist Church
  728 E. Juneau Avenue
  11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Ascension All Saints Family Health Center
  2400 W. Villard Avenue
  1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• COA Goldin Center
  2320 W. Burleigh Street
  3 - 5 p.m.

No vaccination clinics scheduled November 25 - 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.