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.

The city and county produced a number of public service announcements to post online and show on local tv to raise awareness about the seriousness of the coronavirus. Local leaders say not enough Milwaukeeans have followed stay-at-home guidelines, and is leading to further spread of the virus.

“The single best way to get to a point where we are not talking about waking up in the morning and seeing how many people died of coronavirus is to take this seriously,” Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said.

This week Alderman Khalif Rainey noted many north side residents have access to only one hospital: Ascension St. Mary’s. He called on the hospital to provide free coronavirus testing. That is now underway, but only for patients that have been screened beforehand.

Alderman Russell Stamper Spectrum News 1 too many of his neighbors are not following stay-at-home guidelines.

“If you knew how serious this virus was, you would be at home,” Stamper said. I don’t think it’s something so big and extravagent. It’s as simple as -  they are not taking this seriously.”

Stamper said the city will be sending letters about the importance of staying at home as part of this outreach effort by the city and county.