Dane County Moves into “High” COVID-19 Community Level

"On July 21, 2022, Dane County moved into the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) “high” COVID-19 community level . At this level, in accordance with CDC guidance, Public Health Madison & Dane County recommends that everyone be up-to-date on their vaccines and take additional precautions, including wearing a mask in indoor public spaces.

“In Dane County, the cases reported to us have remained stable over the last two months, but hospitalizations in our region have seen a gradual increase,” said Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “At this level, it’s time to layer proven prevention strategies to slow spread and the protect health of our friends, family, and community members.”

The CDC calculates community levels based on three indicators : new reported cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days, new regional hospital admissions with COVID-19 per 100,000 people in the last seven days, and percent of regional inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

While reported cases locally are stable, they are likely underreported, given the accessibility of rapid tests. Last week, an average of 64 people were hospitalized with COVID. Hospitalization rates remain much lower than the surge experienced at the beginning of the year.

"Given evidence this new variant may more easily evade immunity it's especially important we protect ourselves and our neighbors," County Executive Joe Parisi said. "We all want to move past talking about and responding to COVID, but variations of the virus remain, and we need to keep looking out for one another."

“We’re seeing this trend of communities moving to medium and high levels nationwide, and it is possible we could bounce between medium and high levels for a few weeks,” said Heinrich. “Being aware of our local landscape—especially if you are immunocompromised or at risk of severe illness—and taking appropriate actions can help prevent the spread of the virus."

All masks and respirators provide some level of protection. However, properly fitting respirators—like N95 and KN95s—provide the highest level of protection. Wearing a highly protective mask or respirator may be most important in certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease . Wearing a mask offers protection to the wearer, even if those around them are unmasked.."
COVID-19 and Dane County 

Dane County Face Covering Order to Expire March 1

"posted February 14, 2022 - 10:56 am

Effective at 12:00am on March 1, 2022, Public Health Madison & Dane County will no longer require face coverings in public indoor spaces in light of steadily decreasing COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations.

The seven-day average of cases peaked on January 12 when 1,491 people were diagnosed with COVID-19. The seven-day average of hospitalizations peaked on January 15 with an average of 195 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Today, cases have fallen to a seven-day average of 340 cases, less than 25% of peak levels and are continuing to decline. Hospitalizations are also down substantially to a seven-day average of 110, which is 44% lower than the peak 7-day average of hospitalizations in January 2022 caused by Omicron.

Additionally, high case levels did not translate to as high of hospitalization levels as they did before vaccination was readily available. Currently, an estimated 58% of Dane County residents are up to date  on their vaccines, meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, when eligible.

“Letting the face covering order expire doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over. Rather, it signals that we have made it through the Omicron surge and are entering a new stage of the pandemic,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “The most important thing you can do now is to stay up-to-date on our vaccines as they have proven to be highly effective in protecting you from becoming severely ill, ending up in the hospital, or dying from COVID-19.”

Vaccines are safe, free, and widely available throughout Dane County, including the community vaccination clinic at the Alliant Energy Center, recurring mobile clinics , local pharmacies, or at your healthcare provider. Everyone ages 5 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and many are eligible for boosters, with approval for children ages 6 months-4 years expected this Spring.

“As we move forward in this pandemic, community testing and vaccination options will remain readily available to those who need them, and people are encouraged to continue to wear masks if it makes them feel more comfortable,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, City of Madison Mayor. “Wearing masks, especially well-fitting masks in indoor public settings, has been proven to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.”

Dane County’s public health order expiration does not affect the federal requirement for face coverings on public transportation , including public transit networks, airplanes, buses and school buses, trains, taxis, Ubers and Lyfts.

“I want to thank everyone in the community for your commitment to keeping yourselves and your neighbors safe throughout the pandemic,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure; but your diligence, combined with the amazing work of Public Health and our many community partners, is the reason we have come through the pandemic with one of the lowest per-capita death rates in the nation. Thank you.”

Public Health will continue case investigation efforts to prevent spread and strongly encourages everyone to stay home when sick, and follow the latest isolation and quarantine guidance to prevent transmission, which can include masking recommendations.

“Together, healthcare workers and Public Health staff have worked tirelessly to meet the ever-changing demands of this pandemic by following the latest science and applying it to their response,” said Jerry Halverson, MD, Chair of the Board of Health. “This decision is no different. Now is the time we rely on folks to make good decisions when it comes to their own health, and the health of their neighbors.”

For more information about COVID-19 in Dane County, visit publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus. You can also follow @publichealthmdc on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram ..."
Face coverings 

COVID-19 Vaccine

"Options for Where to Get Vaccinated

• Everyone 5+ is eligible for vaccine in Wisconsin.
• Many people are eligible for vaccine boosters. 

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Mass Vaccination Clinics

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Public Health Madison & Dane County 

• Vaccine appointments for people 5+ are available at our East Washington Office and our South Madison Office.
• We recommend appointments at our South Madison & East Washington clinics. We accept walk-ins, but availability is not guaranteed. If you need help booking an appointment, please call (608) 242-6328.
• Free rides are available to Public Health Madison & Dane County offices for vaccination appointments. This is not an on-demand service; call (608) 243-0420 to schedule a ride.
• People under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them when they arrive to be vaccinated. If this is not possible, they must be reachable by phone.

• If you have a COVID-19 vaccine card, please bring it with you to your vaccination appointment, so that we can add additional/booster dose information. 

The Arena at Alliant Energy Center 

• Vaccine appointments for people 5+ are available at the Arena at Alliant Energy Center, which is now run by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare. AMI is a healthcare support organization that is contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to operate vaccination clinics across the state.
• Appointments are recommended but not required. To book an appointment, visit our appointments page. 
• Free rides are available to the Arena for vaccination appointments. Call (608) 243-0420 to schedule a ride. This is not an on-demand service; you will be scheduling an appointment to get a free ride.

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Other Vaccination Options

• Local businesses and sites. VaccineFinder  allows you to easily find vaccine near you offered at pharmacies, healthcare providers, and community sites.

• Your healthcare provider. Some providers will vaccinate you, even if you are not their patient. Call your provider, or check a local healthcare provider’s website.

• UW-Madison. UW–Madison  is vaccinating all eligible students and employees. See website  for details.

• Vaccine for homebound residents. For Dane County residents who are homebound, the ADRC can assist with getting you vaccinated! Call ADRC at (608) 240-7400 for more information.

• Pop-up vaccination clinics. We are teaming up with community partners to host pop-up vaccination clinics. Find details by clicking a pin on the map  below:.."
  COVID-19 vaccination 

PUBLIC HEALTH MADISON & DANE COUNTY: FACE COVERING EMERGENCY ORDER

"DATE OF ORDER: August 17, 2021 Goes into effect August 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.

Reducing the spread of illness, preventing severe outcomes, and death are foundational public health goals of managing the pandemic. Due to the prevalent spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance which indicated individuals in areas with a substantial or high transmission rate of COVID-19 should wear face coverings whenever they are indoors in public places. Madison and Dane County have a high transmission rate of COVID-19. While Dane County has a high vaccination rate, evidence has emerged from the CDC and locally that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can be infectious and can spread the virus to others. The rate of cases in Dane County has risen rapidly since the Delta variant became dominant; on July 19, our 7-day average number of cases was 19, and on August 12, the 7-day average increased by 382% to 91.6.

Vaccines are still highly effective in preventing severe outcomes from COVID, even with the Delta variant, and are also still effective, but less so, in preventing infection. Considering the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, masking, distancing, and ventilation remain key prevention tools. In order to prevent more severe outcomes and to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated, such as children under the age of 12, and those for whom vaccination may be less effective, such as people who are immunocompromised, face coverings will be required in most indoor situations in Dane County.

Based upon the foregoing, I, Janel Heinrich, Public Health Officer of Madison and Dane County, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State, including, but not limited to, Wis. Stats. Secs. 252.03(1), (2) and (4), order the following as necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of COVID-19:

 Face Coverings.

Face covering means a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely. A face covering must be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head and must fit snuggly but comfortably against the side of the face. Cloth face coverings must be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source). A  face covering does not include bandanas, single layer neck gaiters, face shields, goggles, scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, shirt or sweater collars pulled up over the mouth and nose, or masks with slits, exhalation valves, or punctures.

a. Face Covering Required.

Every individual, age two (2) and older, shall wear a face covering when:
i. In any enclosed space open to the public where other people, except for members of the person’s own household or living unit are present.
ii. Driving or riding in any form of public transportation.

b. Exceptions.

Individuals who are otherwise required to wear a face covering may remove the face covering in the following situations:
i. While eating or drinking.
ii. When communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and communication cannot be achieved through other means.
iii. While obtaining a service that requires the temporary removal of the face covering, such as dental services.
iv. While sleeping.
v. While swimming or on duty as a lifeguard.
vi. When engaging in work where wearing a face covering would create a risk to the individual, as determined by government safety guidelines.
vii. When necessary to confirm the individual’s identity, including when entering a financial institution.
viii. When federal or state law or regulations permit the removal of a face covering..."
Madison/Dane County Face Covering 

Dane County Public Health Requirements for May 5, 2021

"Public Health Madison & Dane County has released Emergency Order #16 PDF . An order overview is below, but please check the full order PDF  for details.

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Face Coverings

Requirements for face coverings are mostly unchanged from Order #15, except one bullet point was added to the exceptions:

• Face coverings are required for people ages five and older when in any enclosed building with people you don’t live with, in line to enter any enclosed building, and while driving or riding in vehicles with people you don’t live with.
• Certain exceptions exist for fully vaccinated people. Details are below.
• Face coverings are recommended but not required in all other settings, including outdoors when it’s not possible to maintain six feet of physical distancing.
• Face coverings are not required indoors when actively playing an instrument that has a bell cover or, similar cover, that acts as a face covering over the instrument, as long as individuals are spaced at least six feet apart at all times.

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Gatherings

Indoor gathering limits increased but requirements for outdoor gatherings are unchanged from Order #15.

• Indoor gatherings. Indoor gatherings are limited to 350 people or less, not including employees if food or drink is offered or provided. Indoor gatherings are limited to 500 people or less, not including employees if food or drink is not offered or provided. Indoor gatherings must also comply with the percentage capacity caps. In addition, gatherings must allow for 6 feet distancing between individuals not from the same household or living unit, except when in transit. Face coverings are required.
• Outdoor gatherings. Numbers must be limited to ensure people who don’t live together can maintain six feet physical distancing at all times, except when in transit.

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Schools, Childcare, and Youth Activities

Requirements for schools and childcare are unchanged from Order #15.  Youth activities have been added to this section.

Public and private schools, childcare, and youth activities  must develop and implement a written hygiene, cleaning, and protective measures policies (see page 3 of order for details on what must be included in those policies). Entities must document staff receipt, acknowledgement, or training of these policies. Schools must implement Public Health Madison & Dane County’s action plan for COVID-19 cases PDF  at a school.

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Sports

Requirements related to sports unchanged from Order #15.

• Distancing is required at all times between people who don’t live together except when actively participating in the sport.
• Face coverings are required when sports are played indoors.
• Sports must follow gathering limit requirements.
• Sports must develop and implement written hygiene, cleaning, and protective measure policies and the organizing entity must document their receipt, acknowledgement, or training.
• Organizations must implement Public Health Madison & Dane County’s sports action plan PDF  for COVID-19 cases.

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Businesses

Capacity limits increased for businesses, but all other requirements are the same from Order #15.

• Businesses are limited to up to 75% of approved capacity levels indoors. Actual capacity level must still allow for 6 feet distancing between individuals not from the same household or living unit.

• Businesses must develop and implement written hygiene, cleaning, and protective measure policies and must document staff receipt, acknowledgement, or training on these policies.
• All businesses should, to the greatest extent possible, facilitate remote work and other measures that limit the number of individuals present at an office..."
  Dane County Public Health Requirements