MILWAUKEE (AP) — There was new testing and protesting in Wisconsin Saturday as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose to nearly 4,200 and the death toll increased to 212.
Hundreds of demonstrators stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Brookfield to protest Gov. Tony Evers’ decision to extend Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order through May 26. The group is calling for the reopening of churches, parks and the state economy, the Journal Sentinel reported.
Some wore masks and elected to participate in parking lots while the majority stood together on the sidewalk waving and cheering at passing cars. Several showed off campaign signs, flags and bumper stickers for President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, two separate teams were busy investigating COVID-19 cases, one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another from the state National Guard.
Brown County officials said the CDC was making its way to the Green Bay area to look into a recent surge of COVID-19 cases. County officials requested help after the number of cases increased more than fourfold in just 10 days, the Green Bay Press Gazette reported.
Officials are worried the coronavirus is being transported to nearby counties by people who come into Brown County to work or conduct business, then return home.
The other investigation involves inmates and staff at the Milwaukee County House of Corrections in Franklin, where the facility has reported multiple cases of the coronavirus. About 30 National Guard troops were sent there Saturday to test about 950 people.
The Guard has conducted several virus-related missions since the pandemic began.
State health officials reported 154 new cases of the coronavirus Saturday and seven deaths in the last day.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
