Milwaukee city and county health officials raise alarm over increasing coronavirus cases

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Milwaukee City and County health officials sounded the alarm over a recent surge of coronavirus cases during July 16 coronavirus media briefing. Officials fear the steady upward trend of cases and people going to the hospital for coronavirus could force the county to move backwards on its reopening plans.

County data show Thursday July 16 had the highest number of people in the hospital for coronavirus for at least one month. The number of positive cases among people ages 18-39 has grown so much that it is responsible for the overall growth in the county’s numbers.

Cases are increasing most in the county’s suburban communities, rather than in Milwaukee. Greenfield Health Director Darren Rausch said more suburban communities have begun discussing mask ordinances, and he said suburban health officers will review data Friday, July 17 to see if they will have to scale back their current reopening schedule.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the beaches may not stay open if the numbers keep getting worse.

“Everything is on the table if we continue to trend in the wrong direction, we have to look at the science and the data, and will continue to do that as we consider what to do with the beaches,” said Crowley.

The health officers worried the data points to the beginning of another peak. They said the county has not seen these kinds of numbers since the peak in mid-May.