Evers announces plan, metrics to reopen state’s economy

Gov. Tony Evers on Monday released details on his plan for the gradual reopening of the state’s economy.

“This plan is an all-out war on the virus,” Evers told reporters. “It begins the process of preparing our businesses and the workforce to begin the important planning that will result in a safe and logical phase-in of our economy.”

Evers said that the plan is based on guidelines released by the White House last week.

Per a Monday emergency order from Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm, the state will need to see a downward trajectory of positive tests for COVID-19 as a percent of total tests during a two-week period.

Hospitals should be able to treat all patients, have robust testing programs in place for at-risk healthcare workers and see decreasing numbers of infected employees.

According to the order, the ultimate goal for testing is 85,000 tests per week, or around 12,000 tests per day.

The order calls for an increase in the number of contact tracers by 1,000, with technology solutions to ensure those infected or exposed can isolate or quarantine.

The state would have to build on systems used to track the flu and the pandemic, acquire personal protective equipment and assess the need to support surge capacity in the healthcare system.

Wisconsin would first transition away from the safer-at-home order to allow mass gatherings of up to 10 people.

During that phase, restaurants would reopen with social distancing and child care facilities could resume full operation.

The second phase would allow mass gatherings of up to 50 people, with restaurants resuming full operations. Bars and non-essential businesses would reopen with social distancing, and colleges and universities could resume operations.

The final phase would involve resuming all business activity and gatherings, with minimal protective measures in place for the general public and more protective measures for vulnerable populations.

State officials announced 10 more deaths from COVID-19 Monday, bringing the total to 230. There were 153 new cases. There have been 4,499 positive and 46,603 negative tests for the disease.

There are 36 active testing labs in the state, with a daily capacity of 7,238 tests, Palm told reporters Monday.

Wisconsin Health News is removing the password on all stories related to the coronavirus. For the latest developments follow us on Twitter at @wihealthnews or check out our website. For complete healthcare coverage, sign up for a free trial to our daily email newsletter.