COVID-19
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A Behind the Scenes Look at COVID-19 Testing Posted 01/22/2021
On May 11, 2020, in partnership with the state, we opened our COVID test site at Alliant Energy Center. Here's a look at what it takes to run it. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of January 21 Posted 01/21/2021
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of January 14 Posted 01/14/2021
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #12? Posted 01/11/2021
A new public health order—Emergency Order #12—goes into effect at 12:01am on January 13. This order is very similar to Order #11. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of January 7 Posted 01/07/2021
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Is Your Breakroom Helping Spread COVID? Posted 01/05/2021
Good prevention practices in the classroom, sales floor, and other public-facing workspaces can be undone if employees are still gathering in break areas. Read more » -
A message of thanks from Public Health Madison & Dane County Posted 12/29/2020
As 2020 comes to a close and we reflect upon the year, we want to thank you for everything that you’ve been doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We know that this year has been hard. We know that Thanksgiving was hard, and the remainder of the holiday season will be too. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of December 23 Posted 12/23/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
How We Know the COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe Posted 12/22/2020
Information about vaccine safety is coming from a lot of angles. This blog post presents a summary of information. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of December 17 Posted 12/17/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
COVID-19 Vaccine: Who Gets It First And Why? Posted 12/16/2020
A COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use, but there will not be enough doses right away to vaccinate everyone. Read to find out who gets it first and why. Read more » -
What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #11? Posted 12/15/2020
En español A new public health order—Emergency Order #11—goes into effect at 12:01am on December 16. This order is very similar to what was in Order #9. We’ve outlined the changes between Order #10a and Order #11 below: Item Order #10a Read more » -
A COVID Vaccine Has Been Authorized Posted 12/15/2020
Read what was involved in the process of authorizing the vaccine. Read more » -
Close Contacts Now have Quarantine Options Posted 12/12/2020
The CDC issued new recommendations for how long people without symptoms need to quarantine Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of December 10 Posted 12/10/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Providing Support to People in Isolation Helps Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Posted 12/04/2020
When our contact tracers talk with people newly diagnosed with COVID-19, they provide isolation guidelines to follow, but they also ask what the person will need in order to make isolation successful. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of December 3 Posted 12/03/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Tips for A Healthier Holiday Season Posted 12/01/2020
This holiday season is going to be quite different from any other, which means we all have to get creative. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of November 25 Posted 11/25/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
What COVID-19 Testing Can and Can't Tell Us Posted 11/23/2020
Through testing, we identify the people who have the virus so they can isolate and prevent spreading the disease to others. But there are things testing can't tell us. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week November 19 Posted 11/19/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
What's Allowed in Emergency Order #10? Posted 11/19/2020
A new public health order went into effect on 11/18. Aside from gathering limits, little has changed in this order from the previous order. We’ve outlined the changes and included some common questions. Read more » -
Public Health Madison & Dane County Issues New Emergency Order #10 Posted 11/17/2020
We are issuing a new Emergency Order #10, effective at 12:01am on Wednesday, November 18, which prohibits indoor gatherings of any size, and limits outdoor gatherings to 10 people. Read more » -
Socializing More Safely This Winter: How To Form A Bubble or Pod Posted 11/16/2020
Every activity outside of your household carries some risk, which is why the safest thing to do is to not gather with people you don’t live with. We strongly urge you to spend the winter only with people you live with and to spend time virtually for people you don’t live with. Read more » -
How to See Family and Friends More Safely Over the Holidays Posted 11/16/2020
The safest thing you can do is only spend the holidays with people you live with. Read more » -
Understanding Close Contact Posted 11/13/2020
Let's talk about close contact—people who were close enough to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for long enough that we think they could get sick. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of November 12 Posted 11/12/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
When to Isolate, When to Quarantine Posted 11/10/2020
Let’s take a look at these words, how we use them, and common situations in which we talk about them. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of November 5 Posted 11/05/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Employer Notification Of Employees With COVID-19 Posted 11/04/2020
Due to the continued high numbers of Dane County residents with positive COVID-19 tests, our case investigators will no longer be calling employers to inform them of employees who have tested positive. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of October 29 Posted 10/29/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of October 22 Posted 10/22/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Understanding ‘Clusters’ Posted 10/20/2020
Let's take a closer look at 'clusters', or outbreaks of cases, which we have been tracking throughout our local epidemic. Read more » -
Statewide Database Down for Planned Maintenance: October 16-18 Posted 10/16/2020
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will be improving the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), beginning the evening of Friday, October 16 and lasting through the evening of Sunday, October 18. This is the system all local health departments use for contact tracing and storing case information. Impact of this system upgrade During the time the system is being upgraded, it will not be accessible to local health departments statewide. In Dane County, this means we will not do contact tracing or update our data dashboard. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of October 15 Posted 10/15/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
These Next Few Weeks are a Pivotal Moment for Our County and Our State Posted 10/09/2020
The rest of our state is experiencing a remarkable increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and Dane County is not completely isolated from that increase as people work in and visit neighboring counties. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of October 8 Posted 10/08/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of October 1 Posted 10/01/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Understanding Percent Positivity Posted 10/01/2020
Let’s take a deeper look into how percent positivity can be calculated and what it can tell us. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of September 24 Posted 09/24/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
How We're Assessing if UW Cases have Spread Beyond Campus Posted 09/23/2020
We are closely monitoring data for evidence that those cases have led to spread of the virus outside of UW students, which we are calling “spillover.” Read more » -
For Public Health, Preparing for Emergencies Never Ends Posted 09/21/2020
It’s been said that “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Our organization continually trains, practices, and collaborates with community partners to prepare for every conceivable crisis to ensure a response that will be swift, strategic, provide clear communication, and encompass our entire community. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of September 17 Posted 09/17/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Public Health Madison & Dane County and the City of Madison Police Department are Partnering to Increase Compliance with Public Health Orders Posted 09/14/2020
Public Health Madison & Dane County sent a letter to licensed establishments in Madison to inform them of the possibility of increased fines if they do not comply with public health orders. Read more » -
Statement Regarding State Supreme Court Action on Public Health Order Posted 09/11/2020
We strongly urge all schools to continue voluntary phasing-in of classes for in-person instruction for grades 3-12 per Public Health Madison & Dane County recommendations. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of September 10 Posted 09/10/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Community Update Following Spike in Cases of COVID-19 Posted 09/08/2020
In the past week, Dane County has added 901 new cases of COVID-19, and at least 71% of people who have tested positive for the virus are UW students or staff. Read more » -
UW, Public Health act to stop COVID-19 spread in fraternity, sorority houses Posted 09/04/2020
Given the sheer size of some of these fraternity and sorority chapter houses, we felt that Public Health orders were important to ensure compliance and contain the spread of COVID-19. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of September 3 Posted 09/03/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of August 27 Posted 08/27/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of August 20 Posted 08/20/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Health is a Human Right and We All Play a Role Posted 08/18/2020
A core value of our agency is that Health is a Human Right. We ask all Dane County residents to consider the rights of everyone in Dane County to be healthy and free from COVID-19. Read more » -
Data Snapshot Coming on August 20 Posted 08/17/2020
We've shifted our Data Snapshot publishing schedule so we can include data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Read more » -
How We Have Made Decisions During the COVID-19 Pandemic Posted 08/11/2020
Take a look back at how we made decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, from March to today, with a timeline of events. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of August 10 Posted 08/10/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
COVID-19 Contact Tracing: When Public Health Calls and When It’s a Scam Posted 08/06/2020
Public health contact tracing helps trace the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, there are people who could try to scam you by impersonating public health staff or a contact tracer. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of August 3 Posted 08/03/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes For the Week of July 27 Posted 07/27/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Percent Positivity Updated on our Dashboard as Backlog of Negative Tests are Entered Posted 07/27/2020
As of Friday, we are now including negative tests on the dashboard that have entered our data system but have not yet been processed by our staff. Read more » -
We Can All Be Part of the Solution to the Pandemic Posted 07/21/2020
As we learn more about this brand-new virus, we adjust our behaviors to be safe. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of July 20 Posted 07/20/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of July 13 Posted 07/13/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Put your mask on; leave the enforcing to us Posted 07/12/2020
Learn about enforcement of the face covering requirement that begins at 8:00am on Monday, July 13, 2020. (English & Español post) Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of July 6 Posted 07/06/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
How to Lower Your Risk While Celebrating 4th of July Posted 07/03/2020
It’s more important than ever that people take steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 during any hangout or gathering they’re having this weekend. Read more » -
Protests are not currently associated with Dane County's rise in COVID-19 cases Posted 07/01/2020
Public health orders are based on data Photo of downtown mural on State St in Madison. Photo courtesy of Henrique Nardi, @tipocracia on Flickr and @henriquenardi on Instagram. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of June 29 Posted 06/29/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
A Day in the Life of the Data Team Posted 06/26/2020
We wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at our Data Team and the work they do. Read more » -
Data Notes for the Week of June 22 Posted 06/22/2020
The latest highlights from this week's data snapshot and other notes about data from this week. Read more » -
Help Break the Chain of COVID-19 Transmission--Your Actions Affect Others Posted 06/17/2020
Dane County has moved into a new phase, but that doesn’t mean the COVID-19 virus has changed, or that it has magically gone away. Read more » -
Inequities Evident in Dane County COVID-19 Data Posted 06/15/2020
Inequities in COVID-19 in Dane County have become more apparent as testing has become more available. Read more » -
Data Will Guide Phase 2 Public Health Order Posted 06/05/2020
Public Health will not issue a new ‘Phase 2’ public health order without supporting metrics from two full weeks of data from Phase 1. This two-week period will end on June 9. We expect to have the data compiled and analyzed on June 12 to inform any decisions about future orders. Read more » -
Understanding the Big Picture: Trends in Data Provide Perspective Posted 06/04/2020
Trends over time are what give us a better picture of COVID-19 in our community Read more » -
Fighting for racial justice is essential, even in a pandemic Posted 06/01/2020
As we all are taking really important actions to protest injustice, we also want to encourage everyone to take precautions against COVID-19. Read more » -
Stay the Course to Get to the Finish Line Posted 05/05/2020
After many weeks of physical distancing, staying home as much as possible, and practicing strong prevention measures like washing hands often and covering our coughs and sneezes, we’re all feeling fatigued. Read more » -
Supporting Businesses During Safer at Home Posted 04/22/2020
Some of the regular work our department does involves inspecting and licensing restaurants, hotels, motels, and body art facilities to reduce the occurrence of illness, and our sanitarians develop close working relationships with these establishments. Read more » -
How we educate and follow-up on Safer at Home order compliance Posted 04/09/2020
Today we issued a news release urging residents to follow the Safer at Home order. Read more » -
Press Conference Remarks from 3/23 Posted 03/24/2020
On March 23, 2020, Janel Heinrich participated in a press conference with the City of Madison Mayor and Dane County Executive. These are her remarks. Read more »