Archive
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With cold weather coming, officials stress COVID-19 boosters, first doses and flu shots
posted October 1, 2021COVID vaccines are readily available throughout Dane County. People with insurance can get flu shots from local clinics and pharmacies. Public Health gives free flu shots to adults and kids without insurance, kids on BadgerCare.
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Death rate of Hispanic babies more than doubles in Dane County
posted September 28, 2021“Public Health is just one player in this huge, complex issue. It’s going to take a full community approach to make a difference here.”
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Dane County expands testing capacity as ERs become overburdened with COVID-19 testing
posted September 24, 2021We have 32 different sites in and around Dane county that offer testing seven days a week and up to 120 hours a week that testing is available.
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Dane County public health officials highlight early COVID-19 trends in schools
posted September 24, 2021Dane County officials say they see early signs that COVID-19 mitigation efforts in schools are working, urge all who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated.
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UW Health doctor reminds people of effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine, despite breakthrough cases
posted September 14, 2021No vaccine is 100% perfect in preventing disease, but they are still important in preventing the worst from happening.
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Dane County health board opposes supervisor’s resolution to ‘pull back’ mask mandate
posted September 14, 2021Madison and Dane County’s Board of Health called a Dane County Board supervisor’s proposal to “pull back” the county’s indoor mask mandate “extremely disheartening.”
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Madison mayor outlines plans to respond to gun violence
posted September 13, 2021The City is working on community engagement and providing services, including the new CARES team and Public Health's Violence Prevention Unit.
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FDA gives full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
posted August 23, 2021The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a milestone that may help lift public confidence in the shots as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.
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What's Next for Wisconsin's Most Vaccinated Locales as Delta Variant Spreads
posted August 10, 2021Health officials in Dane and Door counties are trying to push local vaccinations even higher as employers are left to enforce their own vaccine and mask rules in the face of the highly contagious coronavirus variant.
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UW-Madison study reveals virus abundant in COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin, even among fully vaccinated
posted August 10, 2021UW officials announced that some vaccinated people infected with COVID-19 in Wisconsin in June and July had just as much virus in their nasal passages as newly infected unvaccinated people.
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'We will not stop now:' 70% of Dane County residents have 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine
posted August 10, 2021Dane County achieved a pandemic milestone Monday, as 70% of all residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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Sun Prairie barbershop opens men’s clinic
posted July 9, 2021Local barbershop owners teamed up to focus on men's health in their communities.
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UW Health doctor helping boost vaccination rates in Latinx community
posted July 9, 2021Dane County has the strongest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Wisconsin for the Latinx community, and a UW Health physician has had a big hand in that effort.
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Delta variant of coronavirus not yet ‘prevalent’ in Dane County
posted June 29, 2021A strain of the coronavirus that transmits more rapidly and easily, known as the Delta variant, is currently not widespread in Dane County.
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‘We’re in the marathon part’: Health officials target remaining groups to get vaccinated along Path to Herd Immunity
posted June 7, 2021For health officials, the beginning of the vaccine rollout felt like a sprint. “It’s going to take a little more time now and that’s OK. We’re in the marathon part.”
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Geographical disparities in vaccination could lead to COVID ‘hotspots’ where outbreaks are more likely
posted May 27, 2021We’re seeing some COVID-19 vaccination disparities among rural populations, and we really rely on community connections to be able to understand barriers and how to address them.
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Hey, Alliant Energy Center: Thanks for all of those jabs and swabs
posted April 29, 2021We’d like to add one more remarkable effort to the long list of successes to celebrate: the Alliant Energy Center’s ever-evolving testing and vaccination services.
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'An honor to be here': Alliant Energy Center serves as a federal mass vaccination center
posted April 15, 2021To meet COVID-19 vaccine demand, Public Health Madison & Dane County has developed an operation at Alliant Energy Center that’s about as easy to navigate as a fast-food drive-up.
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Efforts ramp up to vaccinate people of color against COVID-19 in Wisconsin
posted April 7, 2021With all Wisconsin residents 16 and older now eligible for the vaccine, health officials, medical providers and community groups are increasing their push to make sure racial and ethnic minorities have access to the vaccine.
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Behind the effort to get Dane County residents vaccinated
posted March 25, 2021Vaccines have arrived in Dane County and distribution is underway. But varying needs within vulnerable communities are raising some complex questions.
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Public Health Madison Dane County releases ‘roadmap’ to reduce community violence
posted March 11, 2021The Madison Dane County Violence Prevention Roadmap seeks to address a full spectrum of violence prevention through a coordinated, data-informed approach that includes community partners.
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A Year Into The Pandemic, What's Driving Varied Coronavirus Rates Across Wisconsin?
posted February 17, 2021A Host Of Factors Contribute To Lower Per Capita COVID-19 Numbers In Dane And St. Croix Counties
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Janel Heinrich and Jerry Halverson: COVID precautions are working, so please keep going
posted February 8, 2021This month marks the passing of a full year since the first indication of COVID-19 here in Dane County. A heartfelt “thank you” to everyone in Madison and Dane County who took the science seriously. Together we saved lives.
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Dane Co. health officials launch new COVID-19 dashboard
posted January 20, 2021Public Health Madison & Dane County is updating how people can get access to track COVID-19 in Dane County.
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Pandemic response raised Public Health’s profile, caused ‘shift in focus’
posted January 5, 2021As the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world and took hold in Dane County, the local public health department became the go-to resource for residents desperate for information on how to keep themselves safe.
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Schools can reopen safely, if they take strong infection-control measures
posted December 17, 2020New guidance from Public Health Madison & Dane County offers area school districts direction for safely reopening.
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For First Time In Months, Wisconsin's COVID-19 Cases Are Declining. Experts Say It May Not Last
posted December 1, 2020Downward trends in new infections 'encouraging,' but effects of Thanksgiving gatherings are still unknown
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“We’re struggling here.” Madison hospitals postpone some surgeries to increase ICU capacity
posted November 16, 2020Madison hospitals announced they would immediately start postponing some non-urgent procedures in an effort to free up staff and space for more ICU beds.
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Madison health director endures during COVID-19, despite 'no off-switch'
posted November 4, 2020Janel Heinrich’s life as director of Public Health Madison and Dane County has not been easy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Public Health Madison & Dane County to Provide Free Drive Through Flu Shots
posted October 6, 2020Free drive through flu clinic at Alliant Energy Center for Dane County adults and children 6 months and up who don't have health insurance, and Dane County children 6 months and up who are on BadgerCare or Medicaid.
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COVID-19 hospitalizations at record levels in Wisconsin, Dane County
posted October 5, 2020A record 714 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 in Wisconsin as of Sunday, with the tally growing more than 2.5 times in the last month and coming closer to what a hospital official said could be "crisis stage."
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Alliant Energy Center COVID-19 Test Site Hours Change Beginning October 5
posted September 29, 2020Beginning October 5th, the Alliant Energy Center COVID-19 community test site hours will change. The site will be closed on Mondays, while continuing to be open Tuesday through Saturday until the end of the year.
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UW, Public Health act to stop COVID-19 spread in fraternity, sorority houses
posted September 4, 2020Members of nine UW–Madison fraternities and sororities with off-campus live-in chapter houses have been directed to quarantine for at least 14 days in response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 among their members.
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Covid-19 cases could explode after Labor Day: It's up to us to stop it
posted September 3, 2020"The more we travel, the more we interact with people, the more opportunities there are for exposure."
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COVID-19 Update: FDA Warns Consumers About Hand Sanitizer Packaged in Food and Drink Containers
posted September 3, 2020The FDA has discovered alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are being packaged in beer cans, children’s food pouches, water bottles, juice, and vodka bottles.
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How to Understand COVID-19 Numbers
posted August 6, 2020Viewed in isolation or presented without context, coronavirus numbers don’t always give an accurate picture of how the pandemic is being handled.
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Opioid overdoses up more than 30% in Madison since start of COVID-19 pandemic
posted August 6, 2020From January to June, the Madison Police Department received 139 overdose calls, compared to 102 during the same time in 2019.
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People are dying after drinking hand sanitizer, CDC says
posted August 6, 2020Young children might unintentionally swallow these products, whereas adolescents or adults with history of alcohol use disorder might intentionally swallow these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute.
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Dane County to purchase and deliver 100,000 free face masks to local organizations
posted July 16, 2020A number of Dane County departments are working to get masks out to community centers, churches, schools, food pantries, and other settings that can reach underserved communities and those who may be unable to afford masks.
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COVID-19 could be controlled in 1-2 months if people wear masks: CDC Director Robert Redfield
posted July 16, 2020The most powerful weapon we have is face coverings, washing hands, and physical distancing.
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Protesting in a pandemic: Wear masks, wash hands, get tested
posted June 8, 2020Anyone who attends a gathering should watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
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Madison COVID-19 testing site to remain open until June 24
posted June 8, 2020In response to high utilization, the Wisconsin National Guard has extended the Dane County COVID-19 community testing site at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison through June 24.
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UW Health: Youth sports will look a lot different when they return
posted June 8, 2020Kids who play sports and their parents are going to have to accept a new normal in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, medical experts warn.
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Public Health Offices Closed to Public
posted March 18, 2020To protect health of staff and clients
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Health agencies’ funding cuts challenge coronavirus response
posted March 9, 2020When an outbreak hits, public health departments are America’s front line of defense.
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State Health Agency Offers Tips for Travelers in Response to COVID-19
posted March 4, 2020DHS recommends travelers returning from countries with a CDC level 2 or level 3 coronavirus travel health notice practice limited self-quarantine.
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A Guide: How To Prepare Your Home For Coronavirus
posted February 27, 2020The CDC is telling Americans that they should be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community. But what does preparedness look like in practice? The short answer: Don't panic — but do prepare.
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'All Hands on Deck': Health Workers Race to Track Thousands of Americans Amid Coronavirus
posted February 24, 2020Local health departments around the United States are monitoring thousands of people returning from travel in China and elsewhere. Among the tasks: daily calls, emails, texts.
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Efforts to Ramp Up to Address Black Infant Mortality in Dane County
posted February 24, 2020An expanded birth coach program, a new Black Maternal and Child Health Alliance, and a screening tool to connect black pregnant women to community resources are being launched to address poor outcomes for black babies in Dane County.
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After decrease in opioid overdoses in Madison, UW, city takes steps to sustain downward trend
posted February 17, 2020After Madison saw a 10% decrease in opioid overdoses in 2019 from the previous year, city officials and University of Wisconsin researchers are surging forward to increase access to treatment options.