Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updates on coronavirus and how it's affecting life in Wisconsin from reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the USA Today Network-Wisconsin.

Updated Live Blog: Monday's coverage of coronavirus around Wisconsin

Related Coverage: What you need to know about coronavirus in Wisconsin

More Coverage: Coronavirus in the U.S. and around the world

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

9:50 p.m. Colectivo selling food and beverages only 'to-go'

One of metro Milwaukee's popular coffee cafes, Colectivo, is closing all of it's in-cafe seating areas and selling food and beverages only "to-go" starting Monday.

Transactions for all take-out service will be cashless and touchless. Payment will be accepted by credit card, Apple Pay or the Colectivo app. There will be no swiping of Colectivo loyalty cards. Instead points can be gained through the app or by requesting a receipt and contacting the company later.

There are 13 Colectivo locations in southeastern Wisconsin.

- Meg Jones

9:40 p.m. Advocate Aurora Health hospitals and clinics adopt no-visitor policy

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, Advocate Aurora Health is restricting visitors from inpatient areas with a few exceptions.

The health care nonprofit serves nearly 3 million patients each year in Wisconsin and Illinois including hospitals and clinics in the metro Milwaukee area.

Sunday night Advocate Aurora Health issued new guidelines for its hospitals and clinics starting on Monday. No visitors will be allowed in any inpatient areas until further notice.

Exceptions include pediatric caregivers, partners and midwives of mothers in labor, end of life situations, companions for people in emergency departments and outpatient areas and professionals assigned to assist with procedures.

Visitors who meet those exceptions must pass health screenings at checkpoints in the medical facilities.

- Meg Jones

9:20 p.m. Green Bay suspends public transit

Green Bay is suspending all public transportation starting Monday until further notice.

Paratransit services will remain available for "all medically necessary trips," according to Green Bay Metro. Those riders should call 920-448-3185 to schedule trips.

Mayor Eric Genrich called the decision difficult in a Facebook post but said he believes it's the right move as officials emphasize social distancing and work to contain the spread of COVID-19. Genrich encouraged residents to help each other, particularly those who use public transit or are otherwise in need.

- Haley BeMiller

8:45p.m. CDC recommending 8-week ban on events with more than 50 people

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending an eight-week ban on events with 50 or more people.

New guidance issued Sunday night calls for organizers to cancel or postpone mass gatherings to include "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies."

The recommendations do not apply to schools or businesses, the CDC noted.

That could mean severely abbreviated seasons for sports leagues and myriad events ranging from music festivals to weddings planned a year or more in advance.

8:15 p.m. Wauwatosa resident tests positive for coronavirus

A Wauwatosa resident who recently returned home from international travel has tested positive for coronavirus, the city's Health Department said Sunday evening.

When the person returned to the U.S. and experienced symptoms consistent with exposure to COVID-19, they went to a Milwaukee area hospital for testing. After the test, the person returned home and has remained under self-quarantine.

Wauwatosa Health Department officials are working to identify anyone who had close contact with the person so they can be monitored.

- Meg Jones

6:20 p.m. Almost one third of Wisconsin cases in Fond du Lac County

Almost one third of Wisconsin’s coronavirus cases are in Fond du Lac County, nine of which are linked to an Egyptian river cruise.

Fond du Lac County health officials said Sunday morning the county had five new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 11. The state of Wisconsin has had 33 positive cases.

Four of the new cases announced Sunday were tied to an Egyptian river cruise, which had 22 people on board a small boat, not all of whom were from Wisconsin.

In Wood County, one person has tested positive after returning recently from a cruise. It was unclear whether that person was on the same Egyptian river cruise.

The Wood County Health Department is investigating how the person got infected and who had close contact with them to follow up with monitoring of those individuals.

-Benita Mathew, Fond du Lac Reporter

3:30 p.m. No cash payments for Illinois toll road

Folks traveling on the Illinois Tollway will not be able to pay with cash, only online or with an I-PASS, until further notice.

Over the weekend Illinois Tollway announced that it is temporarily implementing all-electronic tolling to limit the spread of coronavirus to travelers and tollway employees.

Toll collection will be entirely handled via I-PASS, E-ZPASS and through the Tollway's online payment portal.

Travelers who don’t have an I-PASS can either buy one at a Jewel-Osco store in Illinois or pay online. Don’t try to purchase one at Illinois Tollway customer service centers at oases because they’re now closed.

Tolls can be paid online at illinoistollway.com. I-PASS customers can manage their accounts online - getipass.com

Because of an expected higher than normal call volume due to the changes, Illinois Tollway officials encourage customers to pay missed tolls online and manage their I-PASS accounts.

- Meg Jones

2:58 p.m. Number of Wisconsin cases hits 33, including 5 in Fond du Lac

The number of positive coronavirus cases in Wisconsin grew to 33 on Sunday according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

That is up from 27 positive cases on Saturday.

The DHS numbers include five news cases that Fond du Lac County reported Sunday morning before the state department updated its count online just before 3 p.m.

This sixth new case of coronavirus in Wisconsin is from an individual in Milwaukee County, which currently has seven positive coronavirus cases.

The count also includes one person who has since recovered from the disease in Dane County.

- Jordyn Noennig

1:55 p.m. Pick 'n Save, Walmart to reduce hours

Milwaukee-area stores are reducing hours to have time to replenish shelves as customers continuously deplete stores from items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Customers have been rushing to local stores to buy staples as the number of cases of coronavirus grow in Wisconsin. As of Sunday there were 32 confirmed cases within the state.

Wisconsin Kroger stores like Pick 'n Save and Metro Market will close at 10 p.m., effective immediately, in order to clean and replenish shelves, according to a statement from the grocery chain.

Many store closing times were at 10 p.m. but a few Pick 'n Save stores in Milwaukee usually close at 11 p.m.

Walmart also will be reducing time open at stores that were previously open 24 hours.

-Jordyn Noennig

10:37 a.m. Milwaukee, Waukesha Courts close for 3 to 6 weeks

Courts in the area will be virtually closed starting Monday for three to six weeks.

Milwaukee and Waukesha county circuit courts as well as federal courts have postponed nearly all in-person events and hearings. Some that can be done be phone of video conferencing will proceed as scheduled, but no one need report for jury duty.

In an eight-page order Saturday, Milwaukee County Chief Judge Mary Triggiano listed numerous steps that will effectively close most courts to normal business until April 3, and some until April 30, as part of the wide-ranging efforts to thwart the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Waukesha County’s circuit judges signed issued nearly the same order Sunday, though it extends to April 12.

Matters not suspended include: Placement hearings for children in protective services or delinquency actions, mental health commitment hearings, initial appearances for jailed defendants, bench trials for jailed defendants and hearings on petitions for domestic violence, harassment and child abuse injunctions.

Civil and probate cases are suspended until April 30, except for matters that can be addressed by phone. Any appearance in a small claims case is suspended until April. Weddings scheduled for the courthouse before April 3 are also canceled.

In Milwaukee County, anyone arrested on most misdemeanors will not be booked at the jail and will instead be ordered to appear at intake court after April 3.

In addition, face-to-face contact and drug testing through JusticePoint are canceled in favor of telephone supervision.

"These guidelines are in place to assure the continuous performance of the courts' essential functions and operations yet seek to minimize the exposure and further spread of the virus," Triggiano wrote.

Federal courts for the Eastern District of Wisconsin late Friday announced they are drastically reducing in-person activity until May, postponing all jury trials, sentencings, revocation hearings and naturalization ceremonies.

Chief U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper signed the order, citing the quickly changing assessment of the seriousness of public health threats posed by the COVID-19 virus.

The downtown Milwaukee courthouse will remain open, she said, but tasks from search warrant reviews to initial appearances will be done electronically. Judges will continue ruling on written pleadings.

Dane County was the first to announce major courthouse restrictions last week. Other counties are expected to adopt variations on the restrictions soon. Check you county's Clerk of Courts website.

- Bruce Vielmetti

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

7:34 p.m.: Milwaukee Public Schools say employee has virus

One of Milwaukee's coronavirus cases is a Milwaukee Public Schools employee at Hopkins-Lloyd Community School, the school district confirmed Saturday.

The Milwaukee Health Department is still awaiting a confirmed test about the individual from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but health officials believe the presumptive results are actionable, the district said in a news release.

The patient is an adult who is under medical supervision, the release said, and health officials are following up with anyone who may have had contact with the individual.

“The Milwaukee Board of School Directors are working diligently to make sure families are fully informed regarding this matter," said school board President Larry Miller. "We will continue to work with the administration and all agencies to keep families and staff informed as updates become available.”

- Elliot Hughes

6:17 p.m.: Milwaukee Public Museum and Milwaukee Art Museum close

The Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum announced Saturday they will close to the public, effective immediately.

The public museum will stay closed until further notice, while the art museum set April 7 as a tentative reopening date. All events scheduled at the art museum through April 14 will be canceled, however.

- Elliot Hughes

5:36 p.m.: City of Franklin confirms a case

Of the four new confirmed cases of coronavirus announced in Milwaukee County on Saturday, one of them is in Franklin, the city confirmed in a press release.

The individual had recently returned from travel and learned they may have been exposed to the virus. The individual has remained at home in isolation after receiving testing, the release said.

The city's health department is following up on any contacts the infected person had prior to their isolation.

- Elliot Hughes

3:12 p.m. Eight new cases in Wisconsin including 4 in Milwaukee County

Wisconsin's confirmed cases of coronavirus increased by eight Saturday, including four new cases in Milwaukee County.

Saturday's update comes after a week in which the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic set in many places around the U.S., including Wisconsin.

Confirmed cases in Wisconsin included six in Milwaukee County, six in Fond du Lac County, six in Dane County, three in Sheboygan and Waukesha counties and one each in Winnebago, Racine and Pierce counties.

- Matt Piper

1:40 p.m.: Milwaukee County closes zoo and county parks buildings

The Milwaukee County Zoo is closing immediately, County Executive Chris Abele said Saturday. He said Milwaukee County Parks facilities and Milwaukee County Senior Centers will also be closed to the public until further notice.

“The health and safety of Milwaukee County residents and visitors is our top priority, so we must continue to put our full weight behind ensuring we are prepared for COVID-19,” Abele said. “Closing our large public facilities is the best way to serve our residents and protect our community at this time, and we look forward to re-opening as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Outdoor park facilities are open, according to the statement. Milwaukee County Parks public venues will close until further notice and public events, rentals and programs scheduled to be held at these venues have also been canceled. Closed facilities include Mitchell Park Domes, Noyes Indoor Pool, Pulaski Indoor Pool, King Community Center, Kosciusko Community Center, Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Wehr Nature Center visitor center, Boerner Botanical Gardens Visitor Center, Wilson Recreation Center & Ice Arena, and Wil-O-Way facilities at Grant and Underwood.

- Mary Spicuzza

12:31 p.m.: Every Buck on the roster donates to help arena's hourly workers

By Saturday morning everyone on the Milwaukee Bucks roster had joined the cause of making sure the 1,000-plus hourly workers at Fiserv Forum are taken care of during the NBA's hiatus. Those contributions will be matched by the organization to create a fund to pay workers during what will be at least a 30-day period without NBA games, a stretch that includes about 10 postponed home games.

- More from Matt Velazquez

8:52 a.m.: Despite Trump's support all Wisconsin GOP members vote against economic relief bill

Wisconsin Republicans were some of the few members of Congress to vote against a bill to provide economic relief to Americans affected by coronavirus, which the House overwhelmingly passed early Saturday. The vote came after President Donald Trump said he would support the sweeping measure.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was adopted 363-40, with every Democrat and most Republicans voting in favor of the measure. The vote, which was taken shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday, followed two days of negotiations between Democratic leaders and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

“I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act, which will be voted on in the House this evening. This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers,” Trump tweeted Friday.

Despite Trump's support, all of Wisconsin's Republican congressmen voted against the measure. That includes Mike Gallagher, Glenn Grothman, Jim Sensenbrenner and Bryan Steil.

The bill now heads to the Senate for an expected vote Monday.

- Mary Spicuzza

8:04 a.m., March 14: Homeless shelters need cleaning supplies

As human nature to hoard safety supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic may arise, homeless shelters are asking Milwaukee-area residents to please consider sharing cleaning and sanitation products.

The Rescue Mission, which provides shelter to 300 people and serves more than 1,200 meals a day, has suspended volunteer activities and donations of home-made food items and is asking the public to help instead by donating soap, disposable gloves, disinfectants, face masks, bleach and hand sanitizer.

Rescue Mission president Patrick Vanderburgh, said the shelter is stepping up sanitation measures and expects to run thin on supplies. In a note on the agency’s website, Vanderburg also urged those wanting to give to use their discretion.

“We understand and appreciate your eagerness to help, but we encourage you to consider your own health before making an in-person donation.”

Vanderburg also asked for prayers.

“Know that we are also praying for you. Know that God is in control and that we can continue to trust in him, as he has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV),” he wrote. “Strengthened by God’s promises, we can encourage and comfort one another to remain fearless in the face of danger, and joyful in spite of uncertainty.”

Sojourner Family Peace Center, too, is increasing cleaning procedures and also limiting business travel by employees. The agency, which provides shelter and services for those affected by domestic violence, said it will not turn away clients

“Sojourner will not deny safety and support services based on an individual’s health status, Carmen Pitre, president and CEO wrote in a statement.

And that: “We are committed to safeguarding staff, visitors and clients from illness.”

Pitre said the agency will not be changing hours of operation unless ordered to do so by the health department.

“This unprecedented event is already having a significant impact on our economy and the nonprofit community,” Pitre wrote. “Sojourner’s clients are at a higher risk of contracting widespread illnesses. Consider making a gift to help us serve our clients during this difficult time.”

- Raquel Rutledge

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

10 p.m.: Waukesha County Jail suspends visitation

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office announced Friday night that it was suspending visitation at the county jail starting Monday.

The only exceptions are for professional/attorney visits, it said.

The move was being made "to protect the health and wellbeing of all who live, work at, and visit the Waukesha County Jail," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

There are 480 jail inmates and 147 jail staff members, the sheriff's office said.

— Ricardo Torres

9 p.m.: State says prices may rise with high demand

It's common for prices of consumer goods to increase during times of high demand, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said.

But the rises should be "reasonable," according to a state statute that went into effect with Gov. Tony Evers' public health emergency declaration.

"Often, when demand for specific products is extremely high, or supplies are limited, prices will rise. This can be frustrating, and consumers may feel like they are being taken advantage of," the department said in a statement.

Generally, the price increases are legitimate because the sellers' costs go up too, the department said.

But anyone worried about price gouging should contact the state's consumer protection hotline: DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or (800) 422-7128.

— Sophie Carson

8 p.m.: Downtown Milwaukee employee is a COVID-19 patient

A worker at 330 Kilbourn, a large downtown Milwaukee office building, has tested positive for coronavirus, the property manager said Friday.

The worker has been in self-quarantine since testing positive for COVID-19, property manager Sherry King wrote in an email to tenants.

King said the Milwaukee Health Department has been notified, and that property managers are “undertaking deep cleaning measures in the tenant space and all common spaces in the building to ensure the safest possible working environment.”

There are no plans to close the building, she said.

“We have been advised by the health department that no closures are necessary,” she wrote. “They find the case very low risk since the individual is exhibiting no symptoms and that they were not within the CDC guidelines for exposure risk.”

It was not immediately clear where the worker resides.

— Mary Spicuzza

7:30 p.m.: Milwaukee's first coronavirus case confirmed

The Milwaukee Health Department on Friday evening confirmed the city's first coronavirus case in a resident who was a close contact to someone with a confirmed case.

The resident is a woman between 30 and 35 years old. She is currently isolating at home, according to the Health Department.

The Health Department is working to identify and contact everyone she may have been in contact with, and people who had close contact with her will be quarantined for 14 days from the time they were exposed and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms, according to the department.

“MHD is awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but health officials consider the presumptive results actionable,” the department said in a statement.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik is assuming the responsibility for the coronavirus response for both the city and the county.

— Alison Dirr

5:30 p.m.: Racine County Jail limits inmates to violent offenders

The Racine County Jail is limiting the number of inmates it accepts amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The jail will only accept people arrested on violent felonies and misdemeanors, Sheriff Chris Schmaling said in a news release. Anyone else arrested will be told to appear at a mandatory court date.

"I firmly believe with these proactive steps, we will keep our law enforcement professionals healthy while continuing to protect our most valuable asset, our community," Schmaling said.

— Sophie Carson

5:12 p.m.: North Shore patient was exposed to virus while in Europe

Health department officials shared more details in a news conference about a male COVID-19 patient who lives on the North Shore.

Health Officer Ann Christiansen would not name the community in which the man resides. But she did say the man returned home from travel in Europe, learned he was exposed while abroad and then developed symptoms of the virus.

Within three days, he went to a local hospital for a test, which today came back positive.

"Based on the actions of this individual, we're confident that the risk to the community is low," Christiansen said.

The man did not have any connections to area school districts, Christiansen said. The North Shore Health Department is working to create a list of people the patient came into contact with. The list is expected to be short, she said, containing only immediate family members.

The man is one of two coronavirus patients in Milwaukee County.

Read more here.

— Sophie Carson

5 p.m.: State says nursing home visits should be limited

In an effort to protect nursing home residents from the coronavirus, visits to the facilities should be largely limited to "end of life situations or when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care," according to state guidelines issued late Friday.

"Older and medically vulnerable adults have significantly increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, necessitating that we take all reasonable efforts to prevent introduction of this infectious disease into residential care facilities," Division of Public Health Administrator Jeanne Ayers wrote in the four-page memo. The guidelines were sent to local and tribal health care officers, health care providers and long-term and assisted living facilities statewide.

Other recommendations by Ayer include screening all visitors to the facilities including health care workers, consultants and family members; ban visitors who show symptoms of coronavirus; make hygiene supplies such as masks, tissues and hand sanitizer available and do not allow employees who show "signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection" to work.

If an employee shows symptoms of a respiratory infection while on the job, they should "immediately stop work, put on a facemask and self-isolate at home," Ayers wrote, adding the local health department should be notified.

— Cary Spivak

4:50 p.m.: Evers closes all public, private schools

Gov. Tony Evers directed the Department of Health Services to issue an order mandating the closure of all K-12 Wisconsin schools, both public and private.

“Closing our schools is not a decision I made lightly, but keeping our kids, our educators, our families, and our communities safe is a top priority as we continue to work to respond to and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin,” Evers said.

The mandated closure will begin on Wednesday, March 18.

Read the full story here.

— Evan Casey

4:29 p.m. UW-Madison announces employee has been diagnosed with coronavirus

UW-Madison said in a news release Friday afternoon that an employee who works in the School of Veterinary Medicine building was diagnosed with COVID-19 after traveling to a country with widespread transmission of the disease.

Non-essential employees who work in that building were asked Friday afternoon to go home and monitor themselves for symptoms.

The affected employee is isolated at home, the news release said, and will be asked to monitor symptoms while Dane County Public Health tries to identify close contacts.

— Matt Piper

4:20 p.m.: UW-Madison creates student support fund

UW-Madison created an emergency support fund to help students in difficult financial situations as a result of the coronavirus.

"We understand that these rapid changes may result in a multitude of complications for students and families, particularly for those who are financially vulnerable," a statement from the school reads.

"Many of our students will have unexpected travel costs, limited opportunities to work and earn funds for daily living costs, and/or decreased funding available for basic resources."

To donate, click here.

— Sophie Carson

4:15 p.m.: Milwaukee Marathon canceled

The Milwaukee Marathon, set for April 11, is canceled because of a state ban on large gatherings, organizers said.

It will not be rescheduled, but organizers will give competitors a chance to run the race on their own and log their times online by April 30. Learn more about the virtual run here.

3:30 p.m.: North Shore resident is one of the positive Milwaukee County cases

The North Shore Health Department says it received notification from state officials that a person in Milwaukee County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The person returned from international travel and received notification from people they were with overseas that they had tested positive. Officials said the person immediately went to a Milwaukee-area hospital for evaluation, and after being tested, returned home and has remained under self-quarantine.

Health department officials did not say where on the North Shore the resident lives. A news conference was scheduled for 4 p.m.

— Mary Spicuzza

3:10 p.m.: Charter offers Spectrum access to students without internet

Charter Communication announced Friday morning it will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription.

The move comes as many Wisconsin schools have rescheduled online courses and video instruction to temporarily replace brick and mortar classrooms.

Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely, the company said.

A service of up to 100 megabytes per second will be provided.

The offer begins Monday. Those interested in enrolling are asked to call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Charter will also open Wi-Fi hot spots across its footprint for public use.

Read the full story here.

— Sophie Carson

3 p.m.: AMC Theatres limits ticket sales to 50% capacity

AMC Theatres, the nation's largest movie theater chain, announced Friday that it was limiting ticket sales in its theaters to 50% of capacity to allow for more social distance between patrons.

The chain, which operates the AMC Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa and in five other Wisconsin markets, said the new limits would go into effect Saturday. Regal Cinemas, the second-largest theater chain in the United States, quickly followed suit. (Regal doesn't have any theaters in Wisconsin.)

On Thursday, Milwaukee Film said it would limit ticket sales to 33% of capacity. Read the story here.

2:40 p.m.: Worried your child has the virus? Here's what to do

Parents who believe their children are showing symptoms of the new coronavirus (fever, cough, shortness of breath), or have been exposed to the virus, should call their doctor or go to this web page to set up a video visit with a doctor, Children Wisconsin hospital said Friday.

Children who are showing symptoms should avoid any contact with at-risk populations, including the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and people with other serious health conditions.

The hospital also announced that its primary and specialty care clinics will only allow one caregiver (and no siblings) to accompany a child to an appointment.

"In our Surgicenter and hospitals in Milwaukee and Neenah, patients can only have two individuals over the age of 12 visit," the hospital said.

The hospital stressed that families should only come to the emergency department if a child is experiencing a medical emergency or is directed to go there by a doctor. Children’s Wisconsin is not a testing site for COVID-19.

Children's will offer updates on this page.

— Mark Johnson

2:34 p.m.: Teachers call for Gov. Evers to close all public schools

The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association on Friday called on Gov. Tony Evers to close schools beginning Monday, citing the "health of our students, workers and their families."

The union, which represents about 6,000 employees in Milwaukee and Racine, said it believes the number of students and staff in the state who may already have the virus is likely higher than has been reported because of the shortage and lack of access to test kits.

"Every day that students and staff are sent to school is another day where thousands of people are potentially exposed to this virus, to be taken home and spread to their siblings, parents, grandparents and others," MTEA President Amy Mizialko said in the letter.

While children are at lower risk for the virus, she said, many students have conditions that put them in a higher risk category. And she said many volunteers are older, higher-risk individuals.

The union said schools don't have adequate staffing to clean and disinfect their buildings and there have been shortages of soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and paper towels.

Superintendent Keith Posley said earlier in the week that the district had added additional staff to clean buildings.

The MTEA letter acknowledged that many students depend on the schools for regular meals and said schools would need to continue to provide those meals if closed.

— Annysa Johnson

1:53 p.m.: Giannis pledges $100,000 to Fiserv Forum workers

On Friday, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo tweeted that he would pledge $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff, helping to offset costs related to loss of earning for hourly workers.

It's an identical amount pledged by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love to the workers in his home arena. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also said he planned to pay arena workers as if the suspended NBA games were actually taking place.

"It's bigger than basketball!" Giannis wrote. "And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family's lives and my teammates lives easier. Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together."

Giannis and the Bucks had the best record in the NBA when play was suspended because of coronavirus concerns.

— JR Radcliffe

1:46 p.m.: Eleven new cases reported in Wisconsin, including two in Milwaukee County

After an uptick in confirmed coronavirus cases in Wisconsin, the state now has 19 confirmed cases (18 active, one has recovered). Read our full story here.

1:17 p.m.: Children's Hospital enhances visitor restrictions

From Children's Hospital of Wisconsin: "We have enhanced our visitor restrictions for clinic appointments and hospital visits to reduce the risk of exposure. In our primary and specialty care clinics, only one caregiver (and no siblings) will be allowed to accompany a child to an appointment. In our Surgicenter and hospitals in Milwaukee and Neenah, patients can only have two individuals over the age of 12 visit."

1:03 p.m.: Milwaukee County declares public health emergency

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has declared a local public health emergency due to COVID-19. He said Milwaukee County was taking immediate preventative to help slow the spread of the virus.

“Our top priority is to keep Milwaukee County residents and visitors safe, and we will use every tool and resource at our disposal to ensure we continue our efforts to be the healthiest county in Wisconsin,” Abele said.

Abele said the proclamation gives Milwaukee County the necessary tools to act quickly in response to the virus.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide all resources necessary to respond,” said Director of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management Christine Westrich. “We are partnering with the city and state to prepare and respond as the virus spreads and will continue to communicate fully with Milwaukee County residents as we move forward.”

Effective immediately, two administrative orders are being implemented for Milwaukee County employees.

A supplemental paid leave administrative order applies to all employees, and provides a separate bank of hours to use in response to COVID-19. All full-time, part-time, seasonal and hourly workers will be granted a minimum of 40 hours of SPL bank time to use.

The travel administrative order, which follows the recommendation of federal public health authorities, restricts out-of-state travel for Milwaukee County employees effective immediately. Any employee that is currently traveling or elects to travels out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days upon return, Abele said.

“We continue to actively monitor the spread of COVID-19 closely while we work to ensure our public health response is in line with the seriousness of this virus,” said the Emergency Medical Services Medical Director for Milwaukee County Dr. Ben Weston. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking serious, necessary steps to ensure we are prepared to work efficiently and effectively if and when this is at our doorstep. This is not a time for panic, but rather for preparation.”

Many county departments will cancel or reschedule upcoming public events and will continue to communicate these preventative measures on an ongoing basis, officials said.

For example, the Milwaukee County Department on Aging has postponed all social programming at Milwaukee-County owned senior centers and will continue providing congregate meal programming at these sites.

Milwaukee County Transit has implemented an extra daily disinfecting process on all buses, in addition to the standard cleaning that vehicles receive on a regular basis, officials said.

The airport has instituted enhanced cleaning procedures and are following all guidance from the CDC and the Milwaukee Health Department.

Milwaukee County Parks has posted information detailing the preventative actions recommended by the CDC have been posted throughout Park facilities, hand sanitizer is being made widely available, and frequent handwashing is encouraged.

Officials said the Milwaukee County Zoo is performing regular cleaning and disinfecting. There are additional alcohol-based hand sanitizers at the zoo, as well as additional sanitary wipes available in highly trafficked areas, officials said.

Update: Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow on Friday also declared a state of emergency. Farrow asked all county residents to follow the CDC’s guidelines for washing their hands, not to expose themselves to large gatherings of people, and remember to call elderly neighbors or other high risk populations and check in on them.

- Mary Spicuzza

12:55 p.m.: Absentee voting encouraged by municipalities

Many municipalities are encouraging absentee voting due to coronavirus concerns. To request an absentee ballot online or to download a form to mail in, visit https://myvote.wi.gov and navigate to "Vote Absentee" in the upper right corner of the website.

The clerk needs to receive the absentee application by Thursday, April 2 for the spring election. The completed ballot must be received by 8 p.m. April 7. A copy or picture of voter identification is needed with the application.

12:45 p.m.: Merton, Menomonee Falls close schools

The Merton Community School District is closed today after it learned of a possible case of coronavirus.

Merton Superintendent Ron Russ said in a letter to families Thursday evening that both Merton Primary and Merton Intermediate schools would be closed today for a deep cleaning. The closure also applies to after-school care and all activities.

Menomonee Falls also announced it would be suspending classes. On Thursday, Elmbrook announced it would be moving classes online, starting March 16.

View our updating list of all school closures in the Milwaukee area.

12:38 p.m.: First case reported in Racine County

The Racine County Health Department confirmed Friday that a county resident has contracted the coronavirus.

State and local officials are working to identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact with the infected individual, according to a news release. Those people are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

The press release said the infected person had recently traveled internationally.

- Elliot Hughes

11:50 a.m.: Can you help? Milwaukee teacher builds spreadsheet to connect those in need with helpers

Angela Harris, a first grade teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools, created a Google form through which people can offer or request help for a variety of needs, as schools shut down and people become isolated.

Anyone who fills out the form can offer to help with childcare, meal preparation and delivery, running errands, signing people up for health insurance, checking on more vulnerable people, mediating conflicts, transportation, emotional support and monetary donations. People can also make requests for help through the form.

Harris said she was inspired to create the form by a friend in another city who’d done the same thing after a school district closed. Harris was worried about her own students given a potential shut down at MPS.

“One of my biggest worries is about my students,” she said. “I’m just really concerned about where they’ll get their food and the things they need.”

Harris created the form last night, went to work to teach this morning and recently saw more than 200 people have already responded, including several organizations offering to help her organize the inflow of responses.

Harris said she’s planning to meet with these organizations in the coming days to collaborate and facilitate connections between those who’ve filled out the form.

“This is way bigger than me and something I can’t do by myself,” she said. “I welcome the assistance and support.”

— Rory Linnane

11:13 a.m.: Breweries take steps to keep consumers safe

Breweries are taking steps to make sure consumers are safe. Lakefront continues its suspension of tours and special events and the beer hall and restaurant remain closed to the public.

Third Space has suspended tours as well and customers can get a refund online or redeem tour tickets in the taproom for two beers and a pint glass. The brewery is also suspending growler refills. The taproom remains open to the public.

Gathering Place Brewing will pour beers into single-used recyclable plastic cups for the foreseeable future. It has also suspended the weekly joint tour bus it shares with Company Brewing, Black Husky Brewing and Lakefront. Gathering Place will continue to hold tours in the brewery but will cap the number at 12.

Update: As a result of the suspension of the NBA season and the numerous large-scale event cancellations in Milwaukee, Good City Brewing will be closing its downtown taproom until further notice. It will continue to book and host private events, and the eastside taproom will remain open.

- Kathy Flanigan

11:11 a.m. NCAA Division II and III sports canceled for winter and spring season

The NCAA has shut down all Division II and Division III sports – for the winter and spring. That move has affected several Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams that were competing in national postseason tournaments.

The UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team was scheduled to play Loras (Iowa) in the Elite Eight at 4 p.m. Friday in Holland, Mich.

The Titans finished in fourth place in the regular season but won the WIAC tournament title to secure the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team was scheduled to host an NCAA quarterfinal game on March 21. Eau Claire won the regular-season and tournament titles.

UW-River Falls and UW-Eau Claire were scheduled to meet Saturday in Eau Claire in the second round of the NCAA women’s hockey tournament.

River Falls on Wednesday night defeated visiting Gustavus Adolphus, 4-1, in the opening round in front of an announced crowd of 608.

“They might have been one of the last schools to play an NCAA contest in front of a full crowd,” said Matt Stanek, WIAC assistant commissioner for media relations. “Because their crowd wasn’t limited.”

NCAA Division I championships for the spring season were canceled Thursday.

— Jeff Potrykus

10:36 a.m. State board bans utilities from disconnections during health emergency

Homes in Wisconsin will not be disconnected from water, electric or natural gas services for unpaid bills during Gov. Tony Evers' public health emergency period under an order from the state board that regulates utilities in Wisconsin.

The Public Services Commission, which regulates utilities, also asked utility providers to reconnect any home that is disconnected currently.

"Once the public health emergency is lifted, the utility may disconnect service to a property that was reconnected during this period without further notice if an appropriate payment or payment arrangement has not been established," the commission said in a statement.

Wisconsin homes are currently not in danger of being disconnected due to overdue bills under a longstanding moratorium during winter months. That ban expires April 15, however. Friday's order from the PSC extends the moratorium until the health emergency ends.

A key to preventing the spread of coronavirus is frequent washing and bathing, and staying indoors.

— Molly Beck

10:31 a.m.: Sen. Johnson considers self quarantining

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is considering quarantining himself just hours after telling the New York Times people weren’t hearing enough about success stories amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

The Republican from Oshkosh met with a member of the Spanish parliament on March 2 who later tested positive for the novel coronavirus spreading around the world, according to Johnson’s office. He is consulting with a doctor about whether to go into quarantine but feels well, a statement from his office said.

Hours earlier, told the New York Times that journalists weren’t doing enough to tell the public about people who have survived after being infected.

“One thing the press has not covered at all is the people who have really recovered,” Johnson told the newspaper. “Right now all people are hearing about are the deaths. I’m sure the deaths are horrific, but the flip side of this is the vast majority of people who get coronavirus do survive.”

- Patrick Marley

10:12 a.m. Jury trials canceled for Milwaukee County circuit court

Many jury trials in Milwaukee County circuit court have been canceled for the next three weeks, and other operations will pare down and rely on phone appearance.

Those summoned for jury duty before March 16 are still expected to show, and ​all other court proceedings that don't involve juries are still scheduled

The plan is to book new inmates only for the most serious felonies; others arrested would be ordered to show up at Out of Custody Intake Court.

As of Thursday, even lawyers had to visit clients at the Milwaukee County Jail via phone booths on each floor, unless a face-to-face contact is authorized by a shift commander for particular reasons.

All aspects of courthouse operations were under review this week, with an eye on how to reduce operations to a minimal staff. That would likely mean a temporary end to nearly all jury trials, closed branches of the court and increased use of court appearances and hearings by phone.

Update: Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas announced Friday that restricted all non-essential access to the jail, including lawyers who must meet with incarcerated clients; they will have to use booths that allow video conferencing.

Lucas also said his office has "aggressively enforced internal social distancing measures, including suspending face-to-face meetings and large gatherings" and implemented "a detailed three-phase strategy for infectious disease prevention, containment, and mitigation."

— Bruce Vielmetti and Elliot Hughes

10:03 a.m. Masters, Boston Marathon postponed

The sporting world continued to see its spotlighted events postponed or canceled. The Masters, one of the premier events in professional golf, announced that it would not begin on April 9 in Georgia as scheduled and would be postponed indefinitely.

The Boston Marathon, which was originally slated to take place April 20, has been postponed until Sept. 14.

— JR Radcliffe

9:55 a.m. Limits on reusable mugs and other changes at coffee vendors

With COVID-19 keeping customers from congregating as usual over morning coffee, Colectivo and other local and regional cafes are limiting reusable mugs, removing condiment areas and encouraging customers to order and pay on mobile apps. Starbucks is also suggesting the company might trim operations in some areas to drive-thrus.

To find a Starbucks drive-thru near you, click here.

Coffee shop owners say they are increasing sanitation, requiring workers to wash their hands more frequently and urging employees who feel sick to stay home. “So please be patient with us if we seem a little shorthanded,” Mike Wroblewski, owner of Fiddleheads Coffee, wrote in a news release.

— Raquel Rutledge

9:22 a.m. Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker imposes self-quarantine

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is reportedly under voluntary self-quarantine.

Walker reportedly attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, where at least one attendee who came into contact with a number of high-profile politicians and other officials was confirmed to have coronavirus.

But Walker is reportedly still giving speeches, including on Friday to the Teton County GOP, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

"I commend the governor for being responsible and cautious given what’s going on everywhere," Teton County GOP Chairman Alex Muromcew told the newspaper. "It is what it is and we’ve just got to roll with the punches."

Update: Here is a statement from a Walker spokesperson:

"The governor attended the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28 and spoke with the person identified by the American Conservative Union as having unfortunately tested positive for the coronavirus. Upon learning of the information -- as a precaution -- the governor cancelled all events and has been staying in his home in Milwaukee through today, March 13, which will be two weeks since he attended the CPAC conference. The governor consulted medical professionals and there was no concern that he had contracted the virus.”

— Mary Spicuzza

7:23 a.m. Waukesha County Technical College suspends face-to-face classes with exceptions

Waukesha County Technical College spring break is March 16-22. The following week, March 23-29, there will be no face-to-face in-class instruction with the exception of truck driving, criminal justice-law enforcement academy and Small Business Center courses. Clinicals and protective services courses may meet; instructors will contact students with details. Students are encouraged to monitor their email and online learning management system for changes.

All internal and external events are canceled through May 1, with the exception of graduation – a decision about that will be made soon.

All international travel, including education abroad classes, have been canceled through May 31.

Students traveling outside the county must self-quarantine for 14 days after their return before returning to class. Anyone returning for spring break outside the state must self-monitor for 14 days.

— Debi Eimer

6:25 a.m. Coronavirus starting to affect Kohl's business

Kohl's Corp. has experienced a "softening of customer demand particularly in those areas most affect by the virus," the retailer said in a disclosure to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital demand has not been affected, Kohl's said.

Kohl's has all together canceled its investor day planned for Monday. The Menomonee Falls-based retailer had announced that the meeting would take place via webinar instead of in-person in New York City.

"As the spread of COVID-19 has continued, the Company believes it is most important to prioritize the immediate safety and well-being of its customers and Associates and the day-to-day operations of the business," Kohl's said in a filing.

Kohl's ended 2019 with flat sales in the fourth quarter, putting the chain down 1.3% for the fiscal year. Kohl's has more than 1,100 of its department stores across the country.

"The Company is maintaining its strong focus on expense management and cost control, while leveraging the strength of its balance sheet," Kohl's said.

- Sarah Hauer