COVID-19: April 3, 2020 UPDATE:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI DHS) and the North Shore Health Department (NSHD), along with other local health departments are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, COVID-19. For the most current information, visit the CDC’s website or our website.

As the North Shore Health Department, we are currently monitoring 38 active cases, and we are also providing active monitoring for high-risk contacts of confirmed cases with daily phone calls. We have triaged and processed over 400 suspect cases and/or contacts, and performed several large contact investigations, which involves notifying the contacts of their potential risk and educating them on self-quarantine guidelines. We are also managing several active cases in Milwaukee to assist the Milwaukee Health Department.

The NSHD has ordered the closure of public beaches throughout the North Shore: This order is effective as of April 3rd, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will be in effect for the period of time concurrent with any Order of the State of Wisconsin requiring “safer at home” practices. This is to slow the spread of the virus and preserve the health of our community.

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Beware of COVID-19 Scams:

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, phone scammers have seized the opportunity to prey on consumers.

The FCC has received reports of scam and hoax text message campaigns and scam robocalls offering free home testing kits, promoting bogus cures, selling health insurance, and preying on virus-related fears. If you think you've been a victim of a coronavirus scam, contact law enforcement immediately.

The FCC offers the following tips to help you protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:

Rocket Cat Productions and the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation present: “Voice of the Bay” and “Music in the Bay” (Safer at Home Edition):



Although Bay Day will not take place on May 2, 2020 as originally scheduled, the Voice of the Bay (VOTB) singing competition will continue to accept video submissions until May 1, 2020. If Bay Day is rescheduled to another date later in the year, VOTB contestants will perform on the rescheduled date. If Bay Day is cancelled, VOTB organizers will do their best to find an alternative date and location for the performances. The original prize package is subject to change.

In addition to the Voice of the Bay singing competition, we’d like to see youth performance videos on any instrument. We know it’s been difficult for kids to be cooped up inside, away from their regular school routine and their friends, so we are launching “Music in the Bay”. If you play an instrument at home or like to create your own songs using digital audio software send in your submissions too. We’ll figure out a fun way to showcase some of the outstanding musical talent in our community at a future time.

Video submissions are due no later than Friday, May 1, 2020. Details on submission guidelines can be found at www.wfbcivicfoundation.org. For general questions regarding the Voice of the Bay competition or Music in the Bay, contact Suzanne Singh at [email protected].

The Recreation Department recognizes that with the Safe at Home order, it may mean that residents are feeling disconnected from our Whitefish Bay Community. You may miss friends, family and even some of your daily activities that help you stay healthy and sane! If ever there was a time where we need to feel togetherness, it is now.

The Whitefish Bay Recreation Department staff are organizing activities and gathering resources to share in the upcoming weeks that will do just that. The Whitefish Bay Recreation Department team has planned fun and engaging activities for the whole family to help us through this isolation, yet stay together.  Be sure to check out the Whitefish Bay Recreation Departments Facebook Page for more!

Recreation Department Staff are sharing videos for at-home activities related to music, song and dance, fitness activities, and online resources from our enrichment partners! In addition, we are hosting fun events like community scavenger hunts, outdoor BINGO, Art in Window contest, and more. Be sure to follow along with the hashtag #BringingCommunityTogether

Food Drive: Bay Bridge has organized a food drive to help feed those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Please help restock Milwaukee food banks, pantries and social service agencies that serve the food insecure.

Blue collection bins have been place at the Whitefish Bay Public Library, and will be there through the foreseeable future. What’s needed: 1)NONPERISHABLE items & 2) FRESH oranges, bananas and apples for children. Thank you for your generosity, donations will be picked up daily.

A Note from the Whitefish Bay School District: Our teachers, administrators and staff hope your families are safe and healthy. We will continue to house on our website the most recent information and resources regarding District communications.

Donate Blood: Right now, the American Red Cross has an ongoing critical need for blood product donations as uncertainties remain during this coronavirus pandemic. Blood drives continue to be canceled at an alarming rate and patients need a sufficient blood supply throughout the many weeks of this crisis and beyond.

Healthy individuals are needed to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma. Visit the American Red Cross website to find a blood drive.

Giving blood is considered an essential community service. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. We have implemented additional precautions to ensure safety of our donors and staff.

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Well-being Tips:

The WI DHS reminds Wisconsin residents that everyone is safer at home: Community spread of COVID-19 is occurring in many counties across Wisconsin, meaning everyone could be at risk of exposure. It is recommended that you limit outings to the essentials, such as getting groceries or going to medical appointments, and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others while out. Also, you should avoid social gatherings of any kind with all ages and continue to wash your hands often. The best method to avoid illness and stop the spread is to stay home to decrease the opportunities for transmission of the virus. Our healthcare system needs everyone’s assistance in slowing the spread to protect the health of all Wisconsin residents.

A common question about the Safer at Home order: Can I go outside for walks, outdoor exercise, or to play? According to the order, you may engage in outdoor activities that meet social distancing requirements, including traveling to public and state parks. We ask that you move through the parks for walking, running and biking – don’t stay and play! No team or contact sports are permitted and playgrounds are closed.

Even after implementing the Safer at Home order, it will likely be several weeks before we see results: This is because of the lag time between infection, symptom onset, and results of testing. The numbers you're seeing today and in the near term are people who were infected before Safer at Home started. The science tells us that staying at home is effective, so we must remain vigilant and stay home to slow the spread. Even if you do not feel sick, staying home is crucial. You do not have permission to leave your home unnecessarily just because you are feeling okay. Choosing to ignore the Safer at Home order is contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

WUWM, Milwaukee’s NPR station, took a deeper look into the response of the NSHD to COVID-19: Check out the story on their website.

NSHD Health Officer Ann Christiansen was interviewed by WUWM’s Susan Bence: She discusses the different levels of risk of exposure to COVID-19; reminds the public about the importance of self-isolation and self-quarantine; and reiterates the current COVID-19 testing prioritization, with the hope of increased testing capability to come. The NSHD is working diligently to protect the health of our North Shore communities. “This is what we’ve been trained to do” said Ann. Listen to the full interview here.

This is a rapidly evo lving situation and we encourage you to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, as well as the NSHD website. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC website.