Evidence of 'community transmission' of COVID-19 in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik revealed on Monday, March 16 evidence of community transmission (meaning the transmission was not the result of travel or direct contact with a known carrier) of the coronavirus in the City of Milwaukee. The evidence of community spread led to an elevated blanket order from officials to close Milwaukee County bars and restaurants except for carryout effective Tuesday morning. County leaders Monday evening spoke during a news conference outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse -- calling on young people to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading further.

County leaders would not say where the community transmission happened, but we learned Monday a civilian employee with the Milwaukee Police Department tested positive. Health officials noted 47 positive cases in the state as of Monday.

"We don't know how this individual obtained this virus, however, we are taking precautionary measures, and we take the safety of our employees very seriously," said MPD Sgt. Sheronda Grant.

"This is about the potential to lose as many lives as this state has lost to any disease in half a century, and that's real, and that's why we're all here," said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.

Officials announced the creation of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to track of coronavirus in the county.

"I hate to be the party pooper, but we're going to have to be aggressive and heavy-handed with our actions at this time," said Kowalik. "We have to take aggressive action to prevent this disease from causing unnecessary illness and deaths in our community. Whatever we can do as public health professionals, we will do that."

With leaders expecting a spike in cases, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett called this the biggest societal challenge since World War II, with officials aiming to flatten the curve and limit exposure to others.

"We, as a community, have to tackle this in the most serious fashion possible," Barrett said. "Please stay at home. There are going to be changes in our society, hopefully for the short-term, but we as a country, we as a community have to tackle this in the most serious fashion possible."

"Treat everyone with respect, but keep your distance," Kowalik said.

Milwaukee County officials shared the following in a news release Monday: