Legislature plans to meet next week on COVID-19 aid

Republican leaders said Friday that they plan to convene the Legislature next Tuesday to take up legislation to aid the state’s response to COVID-19.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said in a joint statement that the legislation they’re considering will allow Wisconsin to capture millions of federal dollars in addition to the $2 billion already headed to support the state’s response.

“We continue to work with members of the minority party on the legislation,” they said. “We’re confident that this plan will make the necessary legislative changes to help Wisconsin deal with the extensive challenges from this public health crisis, while also protecting the integrity of our state budget.”

They’re still determining which day each chamber will conduct a session. The full text of the bill is forthcoming, they said.

Gov. Tony Evers said they continue to talk with lawmakers.

“We’re hopeful that next week we’ll see a bipartisan solution that helps us kind of bridge the gaps that are existing in the federal legislation,” he told reporters Friday. “I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t seen the details.”

There were 33,225 negative tests for COVID-19 and 3,068 confirmed cases of the disease in Wisconsin, DHS said Friday. There were 128 deaths in the state.

There are 20 active labs running tests, with a daily capacity of 3,756 tests.

Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases at DHS, said they’re now recommending that any provider can order the test if they feel their patient has COVID-19.

They are still prioritizing tests for hospitalized patients, healthcare workers and vulnerable populations like those in nursing homes at public laboratories.

DHS Secretary-designee Palm said talks to buy 10,000 ventilators as part of a multi-state purchase fell through. They’re now in talks to buy around 1,500 ventilators.

Evers announced a volunteer program on Friday to support Wisconsin’s healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers could include active and retired healthcare professionals and those able to help non-clinical support positions.

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