The NNS coronavirus update for the week of Nov. 30: Council OKs steep fees for businesses; Sixteenth Street opens 2 new winterized tents | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
November 30, 2020
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers opened two new winterized structures at its Parkway Clinic location, 2906 S 20th St. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
Common Council OKs larger fines
The Milwaukee Common Council voted on Nov. 24 to increase the limit on fines given to businesses for violating COVID-19 protocols.
This decision will allow the Milwaukee Health Department to fine businesses up to $5,000 if they are not in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines set out by the city. Previously, the maximum amount for a fine was a flat $500.
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Mayor Tom Barrett will now have to sign off on raising the penalties. In addition, the item approved by the council does not specify how the Health Department will determine the specific fine for violations.
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers opens winterized tents
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers has opened two new winterized tents for COVID-19 testing and follow-up care.
The tents, located at the Parkway Clinic, 2906 S 20 St., opened last week. One tent will provide COVID-19 testing and flu vaccinations. The other, known as the Safe Care Tent, will allow follow-up care and urgent care services for people with COVID-19.
“Now that the winter months are getting even closer, it’s important that we make sure that the structures that are used are winterized and safe for residents to use,” Barrett said.
The tents are available by appointment only. Anyone interested should call 414-672-1353.
Wisconsin records over 100 deaths
Wisconsin recorded 104 COVID-19 related-deaths last Tuesday, the first time that the state has broken the threshold of 100 deaths.
This total is not indicative of deaths on a single day but a tally of all previously unreported deaths.
The state is also seeing decreasing numbers in cases, as the Department of Health Services reported a drop in the seven-day average.
Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, said in a media briefing that the trends were encouraging but continued to urge caution.
Resources to know
Places where you can get free flu shots
How you can help friends and loved ones who test positive
Where to get free masks
To obtain a free mask, residents can visit these sites:
NNS reporters also gathered a list of where to buy locally made masks if you’re looking to show some local business love when masking up.
Check the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s website for the most updated facts and answers to questions about the mask ordinance.
Look here for up-to-date statistics on COVID-19 in the county. More precautions on how to stay safe and information on COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Contact your health provider, call IMPACT 2-1-1 or take a look at the county’s testing site map to find a testing center near you. The free community testing sites at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St., are now open and operating.
Miller Park test site now has weekend hours
Miller Park’s testing site began offering hours for the first time Saturday. The site will be open for drive-thru and walk-up testing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its weekday hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The site, located at 1 Brewers Way, has been one of the busiest in the city.
For more information on testing, including how to identify symptoms and when you should get tested, visit TestUpMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
Check out our continuing coronavirus coverage.
Looking for more personalized direction to resources and information during the coronavirus crisis? Get connected with News414, a texting-based news resource from Milwaukee NNS, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. You can text MILWAUKEE to 73224 and begin to receive free, personalized data via text messages.