MILWAUKEE — Cold temperatures and an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide are creating challenges for homeless shelters around Wisconsin. 

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission on Friday said they could see as many as 200 people utilize their services during the latest cold snap. It comes as the rescue mission is working to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Just last week they re-implemented a mask requirement for guests of the shelter. Milwaukee Rescue Mission President Pat Vanderburgh said they are also spacing out seating and sleeping areas in the same way they did earlier on in the pandemic.

“The pandemic adds a whole other level of complexity to serving the needs of people experiencing homelessness,” Vanderburgh said. “We are trying to keep them in out of the cold and as much as we can keep them safe from contracting the virus.”

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission said they continue to work with the Milwaukee Health Department to figure out the best way to continue serving as many people as possible while minimizing COVID-19 exposure risk.

Click here for more on warming shelters throughout Wisconsin.