'Safer at Home is working:' State officials say data shows promise, more testing needed



MILWAUKEE -- As we learn more about the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities, we are also getting clearer data.

Still, Gov. Tony Evers and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) say we need even more testing and contact tracing capabilities statewide before the 'Safer at Home' order can be lifted.

Andrea Palm



On Friday, April 17, Wisconsin had more than 4,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and more than 200 people have died from complications of the virus. Of the people who have tested positive, approximately 29% have needed to be hospitalized.

According to data published by the Wisconsin DHS, as of Friday afternoon, the number of hospital beds immediately available stood at 37% statewide. The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in the hospital was 361 -- with 141 of those patients being treated in the ICU.

Palm said there's still more to learn about the virus -- and more testing that needs to take place -- to reduce the risk of a second wave of the virus, and to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed at any point.



"The data tells us Safer at Home is working and the science of the virus tells us what the path ahead needs to look like," said Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm, Wisconsin DHS. "We are still not testing enough to facilitate the kind of contact tracing we'll need to do moving forward, or to know the true prevalence of COVID-19 in Wisconsin."

Palm said that is part of the reason the 'Safer at Home' order has been extended to May 26.

Kimberly McCormick



"We often forget that everybody is going through the same thing. Not just in our community, in our state, in our country, but around the world," said Kimberly McCormick, a psychotherapist with Ascension Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee.

While staying at home for a longer period of time may sound daunting, McCormick said it might help some to put the situation into perspective -- for both yourself and your children.

"I think one thing for parents to keep in mind is we can't do it all, we can't know it all either," said McCormick. "I think being really honest with kids, and if you don't have an answer, letting them know, 'I don't know, but let's try to find that answer together.'"

According to the Wisconsin DHS, more than 42,000 Wisconsinites have tested negative for COVID-19.