DOC: Employee at Columbia Correctional Insitution tested positive for COVID-19

PORTAGE -- An employee at the Columbia Correctional Institution tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said Monday, March 23-- the second positive case within the DOC system.The first was confirmed on March 18 -- a prison doctor at the Waupun Correctional Institution.The second case, at the Columbia Correctional Institution, was confirmed on March 21.Both employees were directed to quarantine per CDC guidelines, DOC officials said in a press release.DOC officials noted in a the release both institutions are maximum security facilities and upon notice of the confirmed positive test, each institution suspended administrative rules to limit movement for the protection of staff and the adults in DOC care.On Monday, DOC officials said no individuals in DOC care had tested positive, and health care professionals were monitoring all individuals in DOC care closely, noting several steps taken to minimize the risk to staff and persons under DOC care from exposure to COVID-19.

Connecticut company working around the clock to make ventilators for coronavirus patients

GUILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – There are not enough ventilators for the expected number of coronavirus patients, and a Connecticut company that makes them is now working seven days a week to try and meet demand.Dean Bennett III has had to ramp up operations at Bio-Med Devices during the past month.

Open Record Special Edition: We need to talk about testing

MILWAUKEE -- Typically, Open Record is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of FOX6 Investigative reports.

Potawatomi postpones several shows at Northern Lights Theater to later date

MILWAUKEE – A number of changes have been made to the performance schedule at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s Northern Lights Theater in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.Performances impacted, their original show date and future statuses include:

Ascension Wisconsin launches drive-through COVID-19 testing sites

MILWAUKEE -- Ascension Wisconsin has announced they have launched their drive-through COVID-19 testing sites.Please note: these sites are by appointment only.Individuals who wish to be tested must first be pre-screened by an Ascension Medical Group provider, by phone (1-833-981-0711), or virtually using Ascension Online Care (ascension.org/OnlineCare).The sites will be open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Locations are as follows:

MSOE School of Nursing donates personal protective equipment through 'Adopt a Hospital' program

MILWAUKEE -- MSOE’s School of Nursing coordinated the efforts of nursing schools throughout Wisconsin to “Adopt a Hospital” and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) on Monday, March 23.Dr.

Over 1.5 billion globally asked to stay home to escape virus

PARIS — The hunt for masks, ventilators and other medical supplies consumed the U.S. and Europe, as more than 1.5 billion people — one-fifth of the world's population — were asked or ordered to stay home on Monday to try to blunt the spread of the coronavirus.Political paralysis stalled efforts for a quick aid package from Congress, and U.S. stocks fell at the opening bell even after the Federal Reserve said it will buy as much government debt as necessary and lend to small and large businesses and local governments to help them cope with the economic damage from the outbreak.In New York, where a near-lockdown took effect statewide over the weekend amid fears the city could become one of the world's biggest hot spots, the mayor warned that hospitals are 10 days away from shortages in “really basic supplies" needed to protect health care workers and patients alike.“If we don't get the equipment, we're literally going to lose lives,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN.The risk to doctors, nurses and others on the front lines has become plain: Italy has seen at least 18 doctors with coronavirus die.

Virginia police investigating after kids cough on produce, post video to social media

PURCELLVILLE, Va. - Police in Purcellville, Virginia are investigating after kids filmed themselves coughing on produce at a supermarket and posted it to social media, according to a post on the police department’s Facebook page.The grocery store immediately removed the items in question and took appropriate action to ensure the health of customers, police said.The post went on to state that coughing on produce is a disturbing social media trend across the country and police are asking parents to speak with their children to discourage the behavior and explain how it could cause the spread of COVID-19.

Party not an option, family surprises 92-year-old with birthday parade

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — A Rhode Island family didn’t let social distancing stop them from celebrating a special birthday in their family on Sunday.Alfred Vecoli is turning 92 on Monday, but with eight children, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, his family quickly realized a gathering would break CDC guidelines.So they ditched the party in favor of a parade.On Sunday, dozens of family members and friends decorated their cars and SUVs with balloons and banners.

Teacher begins drive-by visits to check in on her students

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – As the week that would have been most students’ Spring Break comes to a close, many Texas teachers are left wondering what’s next for their students.It was that overwhelming feeling of sadness that led fifth-grade Horizon Heights teacher Leslie Gonzalez to develop a plan to reconnect with her students in person, while still practicing social distancing.Ms.

Wisconsin postpones jury trials amid coronavirus concerns

MADISON — Jury trials in Wisconsin have been postponed until the end of May and in-person proceedings have been suspended statewide through at least April 30 in an effort to protect public health and keep courts operating during the coronavirus outbreak, the state Supreme Court has ordered.The Supreme Court said Sunday that trials scheduled to begin from now through May 22 will be rescheduled until after that date.

DHS: Pandemic measures cut illegal border crossings by half

WASHINGTON — A Trump administration official said Sunday that illegal border crossings have dropped by half as the strictest U.S.-Mexico border policies yet went into place amid the coronavirus pandemic, but there was confusion about how it was all working.Anyone caught crossing the border illegally is to be immediately returned back to Mexico or Canada, according to the new restrictions based on an order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Friday.

Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen -- but in 2021, not 2020

TOKYO — The Tokyo Olympics are going to happen — but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned.This became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement and would make a final decision within four weeks.

School districts take unplanned plunge into online learning

NEW YORK — In a whirlwind week, teachers came up with digital versions of everything from high-school English discussions to kindergarten gym classes, city officials scrambled to find laptops for students in need, and parents grappled with how they would keep kids' attention on schoolwork.The New York City school system, the nation's largest with 1.1 million students, is taking the plunge into online education on Monday, joining districts around the U.S. in an unplanned, unprecedented test of virtual teaching during the coronavirus shutdowns.Among the many wondering just what it will look like is Wilson Almonor, a junior who traveled an hour from his Bronx home to his Manhattan high school Thursday to try to get a loaner laptop.

Hunt for medical gear to fight virus becomes all-consuming

PARIS — The hunt for ventilators and other medical supplies consumed the U.S. and Europe on Monday, as new coronavirus infections soared and political paralysis stalled efforts for a quick aid package from Congress.