Gov. Tony Evers delivered his first statewide media address regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday evening (11/10).
With new reports of COVID-19 cases and deaths at all-time highs in Wisconsin, Evers used the address to announce a new Executive Order (Executive Order #94). In the order Evers calls for new precautions to combat COVID-19, but issues no new restrictions.
Unlike previous orders, Evers’ latest order contains no legally binding edicts, only recommendations. Nevertheless, it calls on Wisconsinites to “stay home as much as possible and only make trips when necessary, such as to go to work, pick up groceries, or refill prescriptions” and “take precautions when leaving their home to ensure their safety, the safety of the members of their household, and the safety of the public.”
Those precautions include:
- Avoiding gatherings between individuals who are not members of the same living unit or household, to the extent possible;
- Maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals who are not members of the same living unit or household, to the extent possible;
- Washing hands often;
- Covering coughs;
- Cleaning high touch surfaces and objects frequently; and
- Wearing a face covering in compliance with Emergency Order #1, issued September 22, 2020.
The order issued yesterday urges those who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 to take additional precautions. Symptomatic individuals should:
- Stay home as much as possible;
- Not go to work or school;
- If possible, wear a face covering if you must go out in public; and
- Get tested for COVID-19.
Those who test positive for COVID-19, should follow local health officials’ directives regarding isolation.
The order also strongly encourages businesses to take steps to protect their staff, customers, and communities by doing things like allowing employees to work remotely, when possible, and to require masks. The order also recommends businesses limit the number of individuals present at an office, facility, or store by:
- Offering online or virtual services;
- Holding meetings and collaborating online or by phone.
- Alternating work teams or staggering shifts.
Evers’ address came on then the same day that the state Department of Health Services (DHS) reported 7,073 new cases of the disease, bringing the daily average for the past seven days to 5,825 cases. One week ago, the average was 4,536 daily cases.
Tuesday’s new case total marked the highest number of new daily cases since the start of the pandemic, breaking Saturday’s previous record high of 7,065 new cases. The 66 new deaths from COVID-19 reported Tuesday marked another record high for the state.
