A letter from South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove, reinforcing recommendations “that all community members follow the guidance from CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) that aligns with their current vaccination status regarding masks, physical distance, and any modifications that are recommended to accommodate protective measures for the public, and workforce.”
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Dear Residents and Business Owners,
The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department’s response to COVID-19 continues. We certainly recognize the toll this response has taken on everyone as we grow weary of the messages to continue protective measures by wearing masks, and staying physically distant from others.
Over the last months, the number of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Milwaukee County, South Milwaukee, and St. Francis have plateaued or been at a consistent level, and vaccination rates have been rising as additional age groups are added to the eligibility. Currently, individuals age 12 years and older are eligible to receive vaccines.
The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department continues to work in coordination with the Cudahy and Oak Creek Health Departments to provide vaccinations through the South Shore COVID Vaccination Clinic and off site “pop up” clinics in a variety of settings including schools, and businesses. Information regarding vaccinations clinics is available on our website at https://smwi.org/420/COVID-19-Vaccine.
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities they did before the pandemic, including participating in indoor and outdoor activities – large or small – without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Fully vaccinated people can also refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.
A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if it has been two or more weeks since they got the second dose in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna), or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson).
Important Exceptions to Updated Mask Guidance:
Health care settings;
K-12 Schools;
Places where masks are required by local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including: local businesses and workplaces;
Residents and employees of correctional and detention facilities and homeless shelters; and
Travelers on all planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
The Health Department recommends that all community members follow the guidance from CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) that aligns with their current vaccination status regarding masks, physical distance, and any modifications that are recommended to accommodate protective measures for the public, and workforce.
Your health and safety is our priority. We thank you for your continued patience and cooperation in this unprecedented public health crisis. For additional information you can view the websites for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Centers for Disease Control or call the Health Department at 414-768-8055.
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