The NNS coronavirus update for week of March 8: State launches new hotline; Milwaukee County targets two ZIP codes for vaccination outreach | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
March 8, 2021
Vaccines will become available at Kroger grocery stores due to new allocations by the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced last week that Kroger stores were going to receive COVID-19 vaccines for distribution.
The vaccines, provided by the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, will be distributed to stores like Pick N’ Save and Metro Market that are not already receiving doses from the state.
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The Department of Health Services said in a news release that Kroger will receive 2,340 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
To check for Metro Market vaccine eligibility or Pick N’ Save vaccine eligibility, follow the respective links. Those eligible can also call (866) 211-5320 to schedule an appointment.
Milwaukee County is launching a new effort to vaccinate people in ZIP codes where residents face more risks of contracting COVID-19.
Anyone over age 65 in the 53204 and 53206 ZIP codes will be eligible for doses at the Kosciuszko Community Center as the program launches this week.
Eligible residents can register by clicking here. The site requires an appointment and walk-ups will not be accepted. The doses are free of charge.
The center, at 2201 S. 7th St., also serves as the vaccination site for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. This site previously served county employees.
“We will certainly work our way through all the ZIP codes in the county, but we are starting with the ZIP codes with the highest vulnerability,” said Dr. Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management.
Weston said there are about 6,000 eligible recipients in the two ZIP codes, and the site can administer 200 doses a day.
The state Department of Health Services announced a new hotline last week geared toward finding and scheduling appointments for the coronavirus vaccine.
The toll-free hotline, (844) 684-1064, will provide callers with answers about the vaccine and help people register.
As of March 5, 137,883 people in Milwaukee County had received one dose of the vaccine. This includes roughly 55% of the 65+ population, which amounts to 72,139.
The state of Wisconsin has fully vaccinated 572,501 people with both doses of the vaccine. The state has administered at least one dose to 1,023,306 people.
Roughly 60% of Wisconsinites over the age of 65 have received the vaccine, for a total of 608,677 people.
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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. American Family Field (formerly Miller Park), 1 Brewers Way, is also open as an effective testing site.
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.
For more information on vaccine distribution and where to find it, visit HealthyMKE.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.