Health leaders say 10% of Wisconsinites now vaccinated, COVID-19 virus is still a threat

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- State health leaders say about 10% of Wisconsinites have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

They say overall case numbers are dropping, but the virus is still a threat.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk says nearly 800,000 residents have gotten at least their first vaccine dose.

She said 174,482 have gotten their second dose and have completed the vaccine series.

“More than one in three Wisconsinites 65 and older have received at least their first dose of vaccine," added Van Dijk.

She said the federal government is also sending out more doses nationwide.

Wisconsin has jumped from getting 70,000 to 72,000 first doses per week to about 89,000.

“So that’s good news, but that’s 15,000 extra vaccines a week. That’s not going to get us to seven million doses that we need a whole lot quicker," she explained.

She also said the new three-week federal allocation is making state planning and distribution easier.

Meanwhile, Governor Evers is putting pressure on state Republicans to help pass a COVID-19 relief bill.

“As you know, last week I vetoed AB 1," said Evers during a state COVID briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Evers believed there was bipartisan support, but said the GOP passed a bill they knew he wouldn’t sign.

House Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Republicans would not compromise their conservative values.

“Wisconsinites don’t care about political points or who gets the credit," said Evers. "They just want to know that their family, their business, their neighbors are going to be okay."

Deputy Secretary Van Dijk said Wisconsin is also keeping track of COVID-19 infections after someone has been vaccinated.

She was unaware of any reported cases of this happening.