Mayor Barrett says Milwaukee will request Governor Evers to declare public health emergency

Milwaukee (CBS 58) — While there have been no reported cases of coronavirus in Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett says the city is focusing on preparation and proactive measures. 

Mayor Tom Barrett says the City of Milwaukee will be making the request for Governor Evers to declare a public health emergency. 

“It’s to open the door for federal resources so that we can ensure our healthcare and public safety officials will have the personal protective equipment they need to continue to serve the residents of Milwaukee,” said Barrett. 

He says the city also plans to open a hotline by the end of the week for people to ask questions about the coronavirus. 

“We are also being very proactive in ramping up our labs capacity. We will be ready to increase testing as soon as more kits are available. Our lab is ready, we will test multiple batches a day on a 24 hour 7 day a week operation,” said Barrett.

Commissioner of Health Jeanette Kowalik said right now she is not recommending Milwaukee Public Schools close and she has not ordered  events to be canceled.

“That’s something that would be considered but at this very moment, this is not being issued,” she said.

There are four people under voluntary quarantine. Kowalik said those four people either traveled to mainland China or came in contact with someone with coronavirus. Their quarantine will end on March 19.