19 Coronavirus Deaths Reported In Wisconsin; 2 Sunday Night

MILWAUKEE, WI — State health officials in Wisconsin have confirmed more than 1,000 coronavirus cases, and one report has Wisconsin now up to 19 COVID-19-related deaths.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, there are now 1,112 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state.

On Sunday evening, local officials in Milwaukee, Waupaca and Waukesha County reported coronavirus-related deaths. Waupaca and Waukesha Counties both saw their first virus-related fatalities this weekend.

New Medical Orders

On Friday, Evers issued an executive order simplifying medical license renewal and encouraging retired doctors and nurses to re-enter practice to aid during the crisis. Nursing students close to graduation will also be wrapped into Wisconsin's response to the pandemic, with the state easing clinical education requirements.

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"Our healthcare professionals are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, and it is critical that we maximize the size of our work force and eliminate unnecessary barriers so we can effectively meet the demand for care," said Evers. "Remember, while our health systems respond to COVID-19, they also must continue to care for patients with other conditions and issues, such as cancer or accidental injury, that require ongoing or immediate attention. This action will ensure that more Wisconsinites get the care they need, when they need it."

The easing of licensing renewals applies to following healthcare services: nurses, physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, counselors, and radiographers.

"We have heard from many providers who are eager to return to practice and help respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Other providers want the flexibility to go where the need is greatest and respond as fully and efficiently as possible," said Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary-designee Dawn Crim. "This order will better position Wisconsin's healthcare workforce to deal with this public health emergency."

Mass-Mailing Ballot Request Shot Down

On Friday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers called upon Republican lawmakers to support mailing absentee ballots to all registered voters as a way to carry out the April 7 election in light of the health risks posed by the new coronavirus public health emergency.

"I don't care who's running for office or what's on the ballot. Everyone should have access to a ballot," he said on Friday. "I'm hoping the legislature will act swiftly to send absentee ballots to every registered voter in Wisconsin. Our local election clerks are doing their best but they need help. the legislature needs to step up."

Members in the republican-controlled state legislature pilloried Evers on his request, citing a number of concerns. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), for one, blasted the governor, calling his request "a statewide invitation for voter fraud" among other things. Vos also cited a partisan-based struggle over the fate of nearly 200,000 registered voters that took place in 2019 and early 2020.

"This last-minute scheme of a mail-in ballot election is logistically impossible and incredibly flawed. In fact, other states say it's impossible to implement, especially two weeks before the election with countless staffing, postal and safety considerations; our local clerks are already running out of ballots and supplies," Vos said in response to the governor's request.

Wisconsin's 19 Coronavirus-Related Deaths

19. March 29 - Milwaukee County - Authorities said a 71-year-old African-American woman died from complications of the coronavirus just before 4 a.m. Sunday. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner said she had pre-existing medical conditions.

18. March 29 - Waukesha County - A Waukesha County employee died from the coronavirus on Sunday. Authorities have yet to say the person's age or sex.

17. March 29 - Waupaca County - Waupaca County health officials said the first person to contract the coronavirus in the county has now died.

16: March 27: Milwaukee - A 55-year-old woman was confirmed dead after she tested positive for the coronavirus and suffered complications due to the virus, officials said.

15: March 27: Sauk County - Officials reported Sauk County's first coronavirus-related death. Officials did not elaborate on the person who died.

14. March 27: Ozaukee County - An 82-year-old woman who lived at the Village Pointe Commons senior community in Grafton died due to complications related to the coronavirus.

13. March 27: Ozaukee County - An 87-year-old man who lived at the Village Pointe Commons senior community in Grafton died due to complications related to the coronavirus.

12. March 26: Iron County - One person died from the coronavirus. Officials did not provide any details about the deceased.

11. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 69-year-old man died Thursday evening from complications due to the coronavirus after spending one night in the hospital.

10. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 65-year-old Milwaukee woman died Thursday afternoon from the coronavirus after she was hospitalized the previous Saturday.

9. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 79-year-old Milwaukee woman died Thursday morning from the coronavirus after she had been in the hospital for about 10 days.

8. March 26: Milwaukee County - A 57-year-old West Allis woman died at a local hospital from complications of the coronavirus. She had been hosptialized since March 19.

7. March 25: Milwaukee County - A 60-year-old man from Milwaukee's north side died from a coronavirus-related infection at his home.

6. March 25: Dane County - A patient in their 70s died from complications due to a coronavirus infection.

5. March 23: Milwaukee County - A 54-year-old man died from complicatoins of a coronavirus infection. Officials said he had been hospitalized for only a short time before his death.

4. March 21: Milwaukee County - A 69-year-old man died from complications of the coronavirus. He had been in the hospital for several days.

3. March 20: Milwaukee County - Officials confirmed that a man in his 60s died from the virus in Milwaukee County.

2. March 19: Ozaukee County - The second person in Wisconsin who died from the coronavirus was a man in his 90s, and was from from Ozaukee County.

1. March 19: Fond du Lac County - Officials confirmed that a man in his 50s died as a result of the virus. He was Wisconsin's first confirmed fatality due to the virus.