CITY OF MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Department of Health says it anticipates lowering capacity limits for businesses next week, as it reports an increase in COVID-19 cases in the city last month.
The seven-day case rate per 100,000 people now stands at 95.6 – a rate that the health department defines as “substantial transmission.” The percentage of positive tests for coronavirus also rose to 5 percent or “moderate transmission,” according to the health department in a statement Friday.
Based on these negative trends, the department anticipates the change of public health order next week from Phase 6 to Phase 5, including the reduction of capacity limits. The department admits that many companies with approved safety plans may not be substantially affected by the move.
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The department did not announce any information on Friday about where the capacity limits will be set and for whom. But the control criteria of the health department that guide the limits related to COVID-19 recommend capacity limits of 25% for enterprises that do not have safety plans approved with the city in phase 5. It also affects religious and entertainment units, retail, hotels and children. care, among other things.
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The trend is worsening with the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 variants, including variant B.1.1.7 or the United Kingdom, which are expected to spread faster and lead to more severe symptoms.
The department said it is hopeful that the transition in Wisconsin to allow anyone 16 years of age or older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this week will help push the increased number of COVID-19 cases. For the first time, the supply of vaccines is “sufficient” to meet demand at the Wisconsin Center-led FEMA vaccination site and at community sites in the city, the Milwaukee Department of Health said.
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Phase 6 of the Public Health Order entered into force on March 18, allowing the following:
- Restaurants and bars will see an increase in possible capacity and a reduction in customer traffic restrictions inside the unit. While places need to be available and encouraged, they are no longer needed unless an owner is eating or drinking.
- Museums can be opened with capacity limits and protection measures, including masking.
- Sports events and recreational activities are now allowed to have up to six spectators for each participant in the event, with a limit of 750 fans indoors or 1,000 fans outdoors, as long as the physical distance can be accommodated. An approved safety plan can allow larger crowds.
- The order no longer restricts visitors to long-term care facilities.
Some of these improvements, especially those related to capacity limits, are expected to change.
However, since the end of March, the Milwaukee Department of Health has expressed concern in a series of statements about increasing cases and spreading variants.
The city’s masked mandate remains in effect, even though the statewide version was rejected by the state Supreme Court last week.
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson described the trends as follows in a statement Friday:
“It simply came to our notice then. At a time when vaccinations are available and everyone is aware of safe practices, we should see COVID-19 infection rates fall. It’s not necessary. The presence of newer, easy-to-transmit COVID variants is one of the culprits; another factor is COVID fatigue. Given the finish line, we all need to take all reasonable precautions to limit the spread of the virus. ”
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