'Get vaccinated' is the united message Wisconsin health officials say amidst COVID-19 spike

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Health officials said they're concerned we could soon be facing more COVID-19 difficulties in the coming weeks, and mask requirements may soon be a part of daily life again.

At a vaccination clinic at Next Door Milwaukee Wednesday, people getting vaccinated said the rise in cases, and the prospect of having to mask up constantly again, were big factors in why they chose to get it done now.

"I just wasn't too sure right then and there, because you don't know," said Tina Banks, talking about her initial concerns over the vaccines.

Banks was one of many at Next Door getting the vaccine after outreach efforts.

"Now that they've opened up everything, things are starting to climb. So the cases are starting to climb, my daughter had got hers done, so I felt like now's the time to get it done," said Banks.

With many local counties facing rising infection rates related to the Delta variant, health officials are saying to mask up and get vaccinated.

Milwaukee Public Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson, through tears, asked for people to think about what we've already been through.

"I was there when the first person died in Wisconsin in a nursing home in Ozaukee county, we cannot do this again, so please, please get vaccinated," said Johnson.

Wisconsin Department of Health and Safety Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said while masks are what we can do to stop spread right away, the best long-term plan is vaccination.

"I think that is why we continue to revert back to focusing on that tool in the toolbox," said Willems Van Dijk.

In the city of Racine, Public Health Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox said with their county having high enough infections that masks are now recommended, they're hoping it motivates people to get the vaccine.

"We're sincerely hoping that this increase in the number of positive cases, that individuals will get vaccinated," said Bowersox.

It's certainly why Banks said she made sure to make it a point to get it done.

"I wasn't going to mess this one up, especially this morning when I saw the news and the cases were up," said Banks.

In the coming weeks there are more vaccine clinics planned at Next Door Milwaukee -- Aug. 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. and another on Aug. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m.