(WTAQ) — There are now 457 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in the state. That’s up from 416 yesterday afternoon.
Governor Tony Evers, who issued an order closing all non-essential businesses this week, said the situation is still fluid.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation. Sometimes changing by the hour,” Evers said.
It’s a move that Evers, as early as last Friday, said he didn’t think he would end up doing.
“It’s not something I wanted to do, but I’ve said all along in this process that I would listen to the science and public health experts to make the best decision possible.”
While the Governor’s latest order is the greatest restriction yet placed on Wisconsinites, DHS Secretary Designee Andrea Palm says computer modeling shows it could be worse.
“Without the stay at home order…we would likely have 22,000 who are positive for COVID-19 by April 8th and 440 to 1,500 deaths,” Palm said.
Palm says social distancing is the only tool health officials have in the face of COVID-19. She recommends limiting your interactions to just five people. Not five people at a time, but five people total.
Dr. Ryan Westergaard with the Bureau of Infectious diseases says they’re aware of the impact that social distancing is having on the public.
“Social distancing measures are themselves not without risk,” Westergaard said. “Social isolation can be very toxic for some people. It can make people feel awful…so while we need to have physical distance between people, we need to do everything we can to stay socially connected.”
8,237 people have tested negative. Five deaths have been reported.
The Stay at Home order issued by Governor Evers will officially go into effect tomorrow, and will be in place for a full month.
