DHS releases new data about coronavirus public health investigations and outbreaks

MADISON (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has released new data about COVID-19 facility-wide public health investigations and outbreaks. 

According to the data, in the southeastern part of the state, there are investigations at 59 long-term care facilities. Group housing locations like jails and homeless shelters have 11 outbreaks. There are 32 at workplace locations, including manufacturing and production facilities. 

A public health investigation starts when there is a single case at a long-term care facility, which includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities, or when there are two or more cases in other settings, like group housing, health care facilities and workplace. 

"We have known that from the very beginning that older folks and folks with underlying health conditions are at greater risk for severe disease," said Andrea Palm, DHS Secretary-Designee, "It is why one case is enough for us to wrap around that facility to make sure we are in very close contact with local public health to make sure they have what they need to do an investigation that ensures we stop the spread as quickly as possible."

The state plans to release updated numbers every Wednesday.