Wisconsin Gov. Evers declares public health emergency
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers addresses a joint session of the Legislature in the Assembly chambers during the Governor's State of the State speech at the state Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Madison, Wis.[AP/ Andy Manis]
Gov. Tony Evers has declared a public health emergency over the coronavirus.
Evers signed an executive order in response.
Evers’ move Thursday helps free up resources to respond to the virus that has been confirmed in five people so far this week and is expected to spread..
"We have been working aggressively to slow the spread of COVID-19, and this declaration allows us to get the resources we need to continue to be proactive when it comes to protecting Wisconsinites," Evers said in a statement. "It is the latest step in the work our state agencies have been doing around the clock with our healthcare partners to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic."
Meanwhile, the state’s high school athletics association moved to drastically restrict attendance at remaining winter sports tournaments. That includes the boys’ and girls’ state basketball tournaments in Green Bay and Madison.
And formal tours at the Capitol in Madison are on hold until further notice.