CITY OF MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Department of Health says it plans to lower capacity limits for businesses next week, as it reports an increase in COVID-19 cases in the city since last month.
The seven-day case rate per 100,000 people is now 95.6, a rate the health department defines as “substantial transmission.” The percentage of positive coronavirus tests also rose to 5% or “moderate transmission,” according to the health department in a statement Friday.
Based on these negative trends, the department plans to change the public health order next week from phase 6 to phase 5, including lowering capacity limits. The department admits that many companies with approved security plans may not be substantially affected by the move.
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The department did not announce any specific information on Friday about where capacity limits would be set and for whom. But the health department’s protection criteria that guide COVID-19-related limits recommend 25 percent capacity limits for companies that don’t have safety plans approved with the city in phase 5. It also affects establishments religious and entertainment, shops, hotels and children. assistance, among other companies.
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The trend worsens with the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 variants, including variant B.1.1.7 or the UK, which is understood to spread more rapidly and lead to worse symptoms.
The department said it is hopeful that Wisconsin’s transition to allowing anyone 16 and older to have the COVID-19 vaccine this week will help back up against the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. For the first time, the supply of vaccines is “sufficient” to meet demand at the FEMA-run vaccination site and at community sites across the city, the Milwaukee Department of Health said.
Phase 6 of the Order of Public Health entered into force on March 18, allowing the following:
- Restaurants and bars will see an increase in capacity and a decrease in restrictions on the movement of customers inside the establishment. While seating should be encouraged and encouraged, it is no longer necessary unless a patron eats or drinks.
- Museums may be open with capacity limits and protection measures, including masks.
- Sports events and recreational activities are now allowed to have up to six spectators per participant with a limit of 750 indoor fans or 1,000 outdoor fans as long as physical distance can be accommodated. An approved security plan can allow larger crowds.
- The order no longer restricts visitors to long-term care centers.
Some of these improvements, particularly those related to capacity limits, are now expected to change.
However, since the end of March, the Milwaukee Department of Health has expressed concern in several statements about the increase in cases and the spread of variants.
The city’s mask mandate remains in effect, although the state version was rejected by the state Supreme Court last week.
Milwaukee Department of Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson described the worrying trends in this way in Friday’s statement:
“It simply came to our notice then. At a time when vaccines are available and everyone is aware of safe practices, we should see COVID-19 infection rates decrease. Not so. The presence of new COVID variants of easy transmission is one of the possible culprits; another factor is COVID fatigue. With the goal in mind, we must all take all reasonable precautions to limit the spread of the virus. “
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