MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — There are now 1,221 cases of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the state of Wisconsin.
The new numbers come as the state continues to grapple with shortages of Personal Protective Equipment.
“Due to the generosity of hundreds of Wisconsin businesses, non-profits, and individuals, we’ve been able to start distributing PPEs to out local communities,” “But the bad news is we need much more.”
That’s Governor Tony Evers. The state has set up a website, covid19supplies.wi.gov, as part of the states PPE donation and buyback program, but it’s not just protective equipment that the state is short on.
“It is important to remember that the supply chain protecting materials is extremely fragile due to this worldwide pandemic,” said DHS Secretary Designee Andrea Palm.
There is a particular shortage of the reagent chemicals needed to process COVID-19 tests. That is limiting testing throughout the state, even as more labs come online. Palm says the state has managed to expand testing to about 2,000 tests a day, but there are still many tests not being processed and those with only mild symptoms of the disease aren’t being tested at all.
