WISCONSIN CORONAVIRUS: THE LATEST

INDIANAPOLIS, In. — Saying America is facing "uprecedented challenges," pharmaceutical giant Eli Lillly announced Monday, it wants to help diabetic patients who use Lilly insulin during the coronavirus.

The cost of insulin was skyrocketing before the COVID-19 pandemic. Lilly says it doesn't want patients who are dealing with lost jobs or lost insurance to worry about their insulin supply.

Normally, about a dozen people a day come to the emergency department at Baton Rouge’s largest hospital with breathing issues.

Now, it is about 100.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is extending the voluntary national shutdown for a month as sickness and death from the coronavirus pandemic rise in the U.S.

The initial 15-day period of social distancing urged by the federal government expires Monday and Trump had expressed interest in relaxing the national guidelines at least in parts of the country less afflicted by the pandemic. But instead he decided to extend them through April 30, a tacit acknowledgment he’d been too optimistic. Many states and local governments have stiffer controls in place on mobility and gatherings.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - A new projection from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington shows Wisconsin's coronavirus crisis will peak sometime around May 22.

While the analysis shows Wisconsin likely won't deal with a sweeping shortage of hospital beds, thanks in part to the state's current Safer at Home order and ongoing social distancing practices, the death toll is projected to top 800 in Wisconsin alone.

MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - As people are laid off during the coronavirus crisis, they could find work at an essential business. Many are busier than ever and hiring.

“With the surge in demand, we just need more people to stock shelves,” said Jim Hyland of Roundy’s Supermarkets. Pick ’N Save and Metro Markets are hiring 2,500 people across Wisconsin. “They’re all over the board. Part-time, full-time, salaried positions.”

GREEN BAY, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Almost 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment last week.

That’s roughly the entire population of Utah.

MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- More than 300 people in the city of Milwaukee have tested positive for COVID-19. The city and Milwaukee County launched an outreach campaign Thursday hoping to stop the spread among the African-American community.

The Milwaukee Health Department has noticed the virus is especially prevalent on the city’s north side in predominantly African-American neighborhoods.

There is so much uncertainty right now because the COVID-19 pandemic is completely unprecedented here in the U.S. Local and state health officials are working to strike a balance between what is known, unknown and calming fears. But the constant stream of information and rising case counts of the new coronavirus are fueling our collective anxieties.

Spectrum News National Health Reporter Erin Billups sat down with Columbia University Clinical Psychologist Anne Marie Albano, PhD, who is also the co-clinical director of the University’s Youth Anxiety Clinic. Dr. Albano shares some thoughts and expert advice on how to cope in the midst of an unprecedented global health crisis.

NOTE: This story is part of “Together/Alone,” a column from Spectrum News Chief National Political Reporter Josh Robin that explores life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The other day in Milan, just as Italy surpassed China in the Coronavirus death count, a priest posted a prayer on the door of a small church. It was addressed to Sebastian, the sainted protector against the plague.

Scientists around the globe are rapidly trying to gain insights into the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the coronavirus. Here’s some information on two new studies of note:

The first, is the largest study done on kids, focusing on 2,143 pediatric patients who either tested positive with COVID-19 or were suspected of having it. While most kids are less likely to experience severe illness with COVID-19 than adults - it doesn’t mean kids don’t fall ill to the virus. Here are some of the findings, published in the journal Pediatrics:

MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Gov. Tony Evers today directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue a Safer at Home order that prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions.

MORE COVERAGE: Coronavirus Live Updates: Latest on COVID-19 in Wisconsin

When Kevin Shea answered my call, he couldn’t remember the last time he had spoken to anyone.

“I’m losing my mind here, Josh!” he told me, talking a bit louder than he needed, even if we were thousands of miles away. “Just hearing my voice! It’s so weird!”

ATLANTA, Ga. — More and more restaurants are doing what they can to help during the pandemic. Moe’s Southwest Grill is the latest to step up with free meals for parents.

Until March 28, patrons can get a free kids entree with the purchase of any adult entree ordered at Moes.com or the app. Drinks and cookies are not included with the kids' meal. This deal is not good through third-party delivery such as GrubHub or UberEats.

From the crush of college spring breakers flooding Florida’s beaches last week, to the numerous pick up basketball games spotted in New York City parks, it’s clear many young adults feel immune to the global pandemic sickening hundreds of thousands. But they are not.

The anecdotal stories coming out of emergency rooms inundated with coronavirus patients, and the raw data being compiled by government agencies, paint a clear picture - that people of all ages are at risk.

NATIONWIDE (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- This simple, easy-to-understand graphic explains who gets tested and what the testing protocol is in each of the Spectrum News 1 territories.

WISCONSIN (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The information about the Coronavirus is coming in at warp speed. We want to keep everyone as informed as possible and we will be updating this "blog" with information as it comes in to Spectrum News 1.

CORONAVIRUS FAQS, RESOURCES, UPDATES & MORE

WASHINGTON, DC— Sunday afternoon, Senator Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, announced he has tested positive for cornavirus.

In his Facebook post, Paul says he doesn't have any symptoms and was tested because of his extensive travel and events schedule. He will remain quarantined and has had very little contact with his staff, since most are working remotely. He doesn't know how he caught COVID-19.

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump announces details about the tax deadline extension and the stoppage of student loan payments in his Friday update with the Coronavirus Task Force.

Here are Friday's highlights:

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two Wisconsin residents died from COVID-19, Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday, the first to be reported in the state.

The news came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continued to grow and the outbreak reached inside a state prison for the first time.

NOTE: This story is the first installment of “Together/Alone”, a new column from Spectrum News Chief National Political Reporter Josh Robin that explores life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BROOKLYN, NY — I was halfway through reading an article about how dead bodies were piling up unburied in Italy when my wife interrupted to ask whether it was safe to eat lettuce anymore.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The last time the Kentucky Derby wasn't held on the first Saturday in May was in 1945 when horse racing was banned because of World War II. In 2020, the greatest two minutes in sports is being rescheduled to Saturday, September 5 due to coronavirus. The Kentucky Oaks will be run Friday, September 4.

Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen said in a statement, "Throughout the rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic, our first priority has been how to best protect the safety and health of our guests, team members, and community. As the situation evolved, we reached the difficult conclusion that we needed to reschedule. At no point did we ever consider canceling the Kentucky Derby.”

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered a statewide ban on all gatherings of more than 10 people as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, and closed all bars and restaurants, except for delivery and pickup orders, in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Evers also extended the closure of all public and private K-12 schools indefinitely and called on the Legislature to waive a one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation insurance. Evers said he would be talking with legislative leaders on Wednesday about an aid package.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday ordered a ban on all gatherings of more than 50 people, a dramatic move in line with federal recommendations and as other states took similar action to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Evers tweeted that he was ordering the ban, but said “critical infrastructure and services such as grocery stores, food pantries, childcare centers, pharmacies, and hospitals will be exempt.” The order will force bars and restaurants to limit the number of customers on St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday.

NATIONWIDE — Elton John will postpone a portion of upcoming North American dates on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour from March 26 through May 2, 2020.

His May 22 through July 8 performances remain as scheduled.

NATIONWIDE (AP) --The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 167,000 people and killed more than 6,400. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms but most people, but severe symptoms are more common in the elderly or people with other health conditions. Nearly 76,000 people have recovered from it so far, mostly in China.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced Saturday that it is now conducting temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

The move is being taken out of an abundance of caution in response to the coronavirus outbreak, said Judd Deere, a White House spokesman.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) --

9:15am MPS PROVIDING MEALS TO STUDENTS

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is declaring the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, as Washington struggles with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of the outbreak.

"To unleash the full power of the federal government through this effort today I am officially declaring a national emergency," Trump said, flanked by Vice President Mike Pence, senior officials, and business leaders.

MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Today, Governor Tony Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to mandate a statewide closure of all K-12 Wisconsin schools, public and private.

A copy of DHS Secretary-designee Palm’s order can be found here.

STAMFORD, Ct. — Charter Communications is doing its part to help keep people safe and connected. Charter announced that beginning on Monday it will offer free broadband and wifi access for 60 days to families with K-12 students or college students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. The company is also waiving its installation fees for new subscribers. In addition, Charter says it will open its more than half a million wifi hotspots across the country for public use. The move comes after the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission urged internet providers to lower costs and boost speeds given that the Coronavirus is driving more people to go online for work, study as well as gather information. Charter, the parent company of Spectrum News, operates in 41 states and services 29 million customers including health care facilities, first responders and government offices. To enroll in the free broadband and wifi program, you can call 1-844-488-8395.

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MADISON, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Governor Tony Evers announced a public health state of emergency for Wisconsin on Thursday.

He held a press conference in Madison to announce the declaration. Evers said the measure was to help state agencies access resources to combat the Coronavirus outbreak.

WISCONSIN (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- College campuses across Wisconsin are changing things up for students as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Several announced their plans Wednesday.

VIEW OUR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE HERE