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More than 1 million people in Wisconsin have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and more than 500,000 have received two doses, Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday, touting a statewide vaccination campaign whose pace had frustrated some still waiting but is among the quickest in the country.
Within those numbers: More than one in four Wisconsinites ages 65 and older have been fully vaccinated and nearly three in five have gotten their first dose.
“While we still have a long way to go, the light is certainly at the end of the tunnel. And every day we are one step closer than yesterday to reaching community-wide immunity and getting back to our Wisconsin way of life,” Evers said in a statement.
Wisconsin is racing to inoculate more residents as health officials flag additional infections from a more contagious coronavirus variant, David Wahlberg reports for the Wisconsin State Journal.
Top Stories
1 million Wisconsin residents have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, state builds network of vaccinators — Wisconsin State Journal
More COVID-19 variant cases reported in Wisconsin as vaccine supply grows — Wisconsin State Journal
By some indicators, Wisconsin’s vaccine rollout remains one of the best in nation — Channel 3000
The Senate is debating Biden’s COVID stimulus bill. When can you expect help? Here’s what we know. — USA TODAY
Ron Johnson’s quest to stall a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package: after marathon delay tactic, Democrats turn the tables — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Vaccine eligibility for all Wisconsin adults in May ‘a very realistic goal’ — Cap Times
Wisconsin teachers were vaccine eligible starting March 1, but rollout has been uneven — WPR
Health Department: J&J shots will speed up county’s vaccine push — Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Wisconsin health officials: Nursing homes are proof COVID-19 vaccines are working — FOX 11 News
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Quotable
“As teachers, we serve our community, and for us as community members, it’s really important to not be in a position where we could be transmitting a deadly virus to our students who would then bring it home to family members, and be responsible for a spring surge.”
Kate Schultz, a 10th grade English teacher at La Follette High School in Madison, speaking to WPR
Data to note
Here’s a look at the Department of Health Services’ vaccine dashboard, which showed Wednesday that 59.8% of Wisconsinites ages 65 and older have gotten at least one dose — as have 17.6% of the state’s overall population. Racial disparities persist in distributing vaccines. The shares of Black, Hispanic and Native American residents to receive a dose remain significantly below that of white residents. The disparity between Native Americans and white residents, however, has narrowed in recent weeks.
Public health officials continue to urge Wisconsinites to wear masks and practice physical distancing until vaccinations are more widely distributed.
DHS reported a seven-day average of 11 new deaths and 479 new infections Friday, Wisconsin’s lowest infection average since June 30.
WisContext offers this visualization.
Find a vaccine site near you
DHS has this interactive map of vaccine providers across Wisconsin. Vaccinations are generally by appointment only and it may take time to schedule appointments with providers due to limited supplies of vaccines.
Resilient Wisconsin
People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
NNS Spotlight: ‘We knew we had to step it up’: SHARP Literacy goes virtual to reach students with creativity-based education — Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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