Health officials say masks remain important protection for the duration of the requirement

The requirements for COVID-19 masks end in two jurisdictions that require them, but public health officials will spread the virus on Tuesday to some people, especially those who are more vulnerable to the new coronavirus. Prevents.

Mask orders in Dane County and Milwaukee City expired on Tuesday. New cases across the state of people infected with the new coronavirus have continued to decline sharply after a similarly sharp surge that peaked in mid-January.

Public transport such as buses, taxis, trains and airports will continue to require masking at the behest of the federal government.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday Issue new masking guidance It classifies infections in US counties as well as disease epidemics. Local hospitalization rate..

The Wisconsin State Department of Health (DHS) reported on Tuesday that as of Sunday, February 27, the state had recorded an average of 645 new cases of COVID-19 per day over the past seven days. This is down from the record high of 7-day average of 18,798 new cases per day reported on January 19.

As of Tuesday, there were 511 COVID-19 patients in hospitals throughout the state, and 92 in the intensive care unit, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA). This is down from 2,278 reportedly hospitalized for COVID-19 on January 12, of which 458 are in the intensive care unit.

According to DHS data, testing of evidence for COVID-19 at a wastewater treatment facility in Wisconsin has shown reduced virus levels. Approximately 40% of the state’s inhabitants live in communities where COVID-19 wastewater surveillance is in place.

Dr. John Mayman, Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Homeland Security’s Department of Environment, Industry and Health, said in an email Thursday that “I can’t say what the immediate future will be” when investigating surveillance data. The ministry said it was “active.” Use wastewater data to improve forecasts. “

Dr. Ben Weston, Chief Health Policy Advisor, Milwaukee County, said wastewater COVID data could warn in advance of future increases if fewer people seek testing due to reduced virus spread. Said.

“Masks will continue to be a strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Milwaukee City Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said in an online briefing for reporters on Tuesday, even if masks are no longer needed in Milwaukee. rice field.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, feel sick, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 10 days, or have been infected with COVID-19 but have not been quarantined, “Mask” Johnson said. Said.

Johnson and others who spoke at the online media briefing all emphasized respect for those who decided to continue wearing masks.

“None of us knows the situation of the people we have to contact every day,” said the health commissioner. “Some people have weakened immunity, some take care of high-risk people at home, and some people are not good at removing masks in public. Anyway, we are their We must respect our personal masking choices. “

Masking requirements for government buildings have been relaxed in both Milwaukee City and Milwaukee County. Milwaukee County continues to demand masks from county offices, county prisons, other correctional facilities, and county-operated human service offices and facilities, said county executive David Crowley. The county has also raised the capacity limits for most county offices and buildings from 50% to 75% of the official occupancy limits.

Mayor of Milwaukee, Cavalier Johnson, said city officials were required to wear masks when working in medical or other unspecified high-risk environments, or when visiting homeowners or private businesses. Except, he said he could use his own discretion when wearing the mask.