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Important COVID Information/Updates

Vaccination: Last week’s DHS media briefing included some discussion of youth vaccinations. The recording is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ouXtOE1V0 (see timestamp 27:00-32:21) 

Increase in Adolescent Hospitalizations: The CDC recently published a report on adolescent hospitalizations, which found that weekly population-based rates of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among adolescents increased nationwide during March and April. In Wisconsin, we saw a small increase in the number of new adolescent hospitalizations per month in April, after a long downward trend in the number of hospitalizations between November and March. This data can be viewed on the DHS website.  

Delta Variant: Last week CDC updated the classification of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) to a variant of concern and DHS began reporting on sequenced cases of that variant on the DHS website. See the press release for more information at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/061621.htm.

COVID Testing Supports: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is offering free school-based COVID-19 testing for teachers, staff, students and their families for the 2021-2022 school year. This testing program is intended to help K-12 public, private, and independent charter schools operate safely by supporting their efforts to adopt one of the CDC’s recommended strategies for a comprehensive approach to COVID-19 prevention.

Program Participation: Convenient COVID-19 testing support is now available through approved vendors for the 2021-2022 school year. This support may include testing supplies, testing registration, specimen collection, result reporting to local and state health departments, and patient results notification. By working with trusted vendors, schools can focus on what they do best: provide kids with a quality education and foster well-being in their schools. COVID-19 testing at schools also offers convenience for parents and guardians, as they don’t need to schedule testing appointments for their children.

Schools will not be charged any amount by program vendors.

Participation in the program is voluntary and encourages participating schools and school districts to design their testing program in alignment with the CDC’s Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention. Testing programs can include any of the following elements using rapid, point of care antigen tests and/or highly accurate, laboratory-based tests:

  • Testing for individuals with symptoms or those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

  • Testing for people who attend or participate in school-based events or activities

  • Testing on a routine basis for unvaccinated asymptomatic individuals

  • Testing of large groups in the school after there has been a COVID-19 outbreak

To opt-in to this federally funded resource, please complete the K-12 COVID-19 Testing Program Participation Survey byJuly 9, 2021 at 5 p.m. A PDF version of the survey is attached for reference. Schools and districts will still be able to sign up for the program after this date, but those who complete the survey by July 9 are more likely to have testing services available for their first day of school.

Learn more about this opportunity: DHS invites you to join a webinar on July 1, 2021, at 4 p.m. to learn more about the COVID-19 testing supports available for the 2021-2022 school year through this program. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link and call-in information. Register for the webinar here. The webinar will be recorded, made available on the DHS website, and a link to the recording will be sent to all individuals who register.

If you have any questions about this initiative, please reference the information on the DHS Testing Support for Wisconsin Schools page or contact [email protected].