Wisconsin COVID-19 Update

Report: How COVID-19 surged inside a Wisconsin prison — 1/4/21

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Today we highlight a Wisconsin State Journal story about how a Wisconsin prison failed to contain a massive COVID-19 outbreak.

Reporter Emily Hamer documented “a series of missteps” that caused infections to soar within Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution — from just 12 active COVID-19 infections in early September to more than 870 in October. The Sheboygan County prison failed to separate inmates from others and was slow to shut down indoor areas where inmates congregate, staff members and inmates told Hamer.

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Aurora Health says pharmacist spoiled 500-plus doses of COVID-19 vaccine by intentionally removing vials from fridge; Police make arrest — 12/31/20

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Advocate Aurora Health has fired a Grafton-based employee who allegedly spoiled 57 vials of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine by intentionally removing them from a refrigerator, according to media reports.

Each vial contained enough vaccine for 10 doses, reports Ricardo Torres for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. That means vaccines will be delayed for more than 500 people. The FBI, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Grafton police are investigating, Torres added.

Wisconsin COVID-19 Update

Report: Milwaukee paused COVID inspections following harassment at Trump rally — 12/29/20

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Today we highlight a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story detailing threats to Milwaukee Health Department inspectors during the pandemic.

The department halted evening and weekend inspections for COVID-19 violations for weeks after supporters of President Donald Trump pushed and harassed inspectors at a mid-November rally, Alison Dirr reports.

Coronavirus

Vaccination brings hope, excitement to weary Wisconsin nurse — 12/28/20

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Today we highlight the latest installment of our Outbreak Wisconsin collaboration with WPR.

Bram Sable-Smith has followed Mariah Clark, a UW Health emergency department nurse, throughout a pandemic filled with anxiety and loss. But this month she reflected on a moment of hope; On Dec. 17, Clark joined health care colleagues in receiving a first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.

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Sued over medical debt during a pandemic — 12/21/20

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Today we highlight our story about how some hospitals continue to sue patients over medical debt during the pandemic — particularly Froedtert South hospital in Kenosha.

In April, Froedtert South said it would make debt lawsuits “rare” during the pandemic, reports Bram Sable-Smith of WPR and Wisconsin Watch. But the hospital has since filed at least 231 lawsuits in small claims court against debtors, eclipsing its annual total from 2019.

Wisconsin COVID-19 Update

Criticizing feds, Evers calls smaller vaccine shipment ‘unacceptable’ — 12/18/20

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Friday criticized the Trump administration for shrinking the state’s next shipment of the new Pfizer coronavirus vaccine — urging the federal government to expedite shipments to Wisconsin and improve communication.

The state learned it would receive just 35,100 doses of the vaccine next week, fewer than expected after this week’s 49,725 doses. States so far have not learned of their next allocations until days before shipping, Evers said, creating logistical headaches.