The money was supplied by the federal government’s $2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump at the end of March.
Gov. Tony Evers has announced a $1.17 billion plan to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Wisconsin.
The announcement was made Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Evers said the money will be used for coronavirus testing, contact tracking, emergency operations, buying medical supplies and for local governments.
The money was supplied by the federal government’s $2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump at the end of March.
“As I’ve said before, regardless of the political overtones of the past week, we still know what we need to do to box in this virus and help keep people safe,” Evers said in a release. “Our statewide approach to containing the spread of COVID-19 will continue with robust testing and contact tracing efforts in all corners of Wisconsin, resources that ensure our critical workers have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely, and direct investments in local communities and health providers. Wisconsin’s Safer At Home order may have ended, but our all-out war on this virus has not.”
Wisconsin will use $260 million of the $1.17 billion for testing and $75 million for contact tracing.
“Our public health experts continue to recommend that folks stay home as much as possible, limit travel, wear a face mask in public, and practice good hygiene,” Evers said. “I also urge anyone who needs a test to go get tested at one of our community testing sites and help protect your community and family from this virus.”
The state can now process 13,000 coronavirus tests per day at 52 labs.
Tests are available for free for all Wisconsinites.
The National Guard is operating 25 testing sites across the state, including two in Milwaukee – Midtown Shopping Center at N. 57th St. and W. Capitol Drive, and the UMOS Building at 2701 S. Chase Ave.
About $3 million of the fund will go to 96 local and tribal health departments in preparation of fall testing.
Another $45 million will be used for health departments to conduct testing in congregate, community and occupational settings.
The program allocated $10 million for health departments to coordinate testing.
Evers said Wisconsin will spend $175 million to buy more personal protective equipment for health care providers and first responders and $40 million for additional ventilators.
About $445 million will be used by hospitals to plan for a possible virus resurgence in the fall.
