EXECUTIVE ORDER #82
Relating to Declaring a Public Health Emergency
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic
Wisconsinites throughout the state;

has

impacted

the

lives

of

WHEREAS, despite the hard work Wisconsinites have done to slow the
spread of COVID-19, data shows a new and concerning spike in infections;
WHEREAS, based on data collected by the Department of Health Services,
the State of Wisconsin has experienced a drastic rise in COVID-19 cases
throughout the entire state, with 61 of 72 counties (84 percent) representing 96
percent of the state’s population experiencing high COVID-19 activity;
WHEREAS, this is a dramatic increase from where Wisconsin was in June,
when only 19 of 72 counties (26%) were experiencing high COVID-19 activity, as
depicted in the maps below:

June 17, 2020

July 29, 2020

WHEREAS, on June 1, 2020, there were 18,543 confirmed cases of
COVID-19 in Wisconsin; on July 1, 2020, there were 29,199 confirmed cases of
COVID-19, a 57 percent increase from June 1; and on July 29, 2020, there were
51,049 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a 75 percent increase from July 1;

 WHEREAS, Wisconsinites successfully "bent the curve" in May, but a
drastic new spike has occurred due to the unprecedented number of new
confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 43 percent of all Wisconsin COVID-19
cases occurring since July 1:
New confirmed COVI D-19 cases by date confirmed, and 7-day average
Updated: 7/ 28/ 2020
1.100
1.000

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900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

3/ 15 3122 3/29 4/5 4/12 4/ 19 4/ 26 5/ 3 5/ 10 5117 5/ 24 5/ 31 6/7 6/ 14 6/21 6/28

7/ 5 7/ 12 7/ 19 7/ 26 !

WHEREAS, the average number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19
has drastically increased throughout July, with an average of 556 new cases
each day between July 1-7, an average of 764 new cases each day between
July 8-14 (a 37 percent increase from the previous week) , an average of 890
new cases each day between July 15-21 (a 16 percent increase from the
previous week), and an average of 938 new cases each day between July 22-26
(a 5 percent increase from the previous week);
WHEREAS, in a report dated July 26, 2020, the President's COVID-19
Task Force identified Wisconsin as a "red zone" state, along with 21 other
states where there is significant, uncontrolled spread of COVID- 19;
WHEREAS, the federal report noted that the increasing number of cases
"continues to be driven by increases in Milwaukee and Green Bay [core-based
statistical areas], but also includes an increasing number of counties
throughout the state, including in the west (Trempealeau, Pepin) and
northwest (Iron County)";
WHEREAS, with the increase in COVID-19 cases, there is also an
increased strain on our health care system, with a growing number of
hospitalized patients and patients in intensive care units;
WHEREAS, the number of confirmed deaths as a result of COVID-19 has
also drastically increased; from the first death in March to June 1, 595
Wisconsinites having passed away, and by July 29, 911 people having lost
their lives;
WHEREAS, an increase in deaths serves as an indicator of increased
disease burden; growth in deaths from the last two weeks of July was 1. 9 times
the growth in deaths for the first two weeks of July, a statistically significant
measure of accelerating death rates;
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control has forecasted that with
Wisconsin's current disease growth, deaths will continue to increase and could
reach 1,800 deaths by fall;
WHEREAS, pandemics come in waves of acceleration and deceleration of
disease; because COVID-19 is a novel virus and there remain only limited
effective treatments for infection and no vaccines to prevent spread of the
disease, community mitigation strategies are the recommended intervention
during acceleration phases;

 WHEREAS, the vast majority of Wisconsin is now experiencing high virus
activity levels, with some experiencing uncontrolled spread, and without quick
intervention, there will be uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 infections
statewide, which will lead to unnecessary serious illness or death, overwhelm
our healthcare system, prevent schools from fully reopening, and unnecessarily
undermine economic stability; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect the health and wellbeing of its residents,
and to secure our best chances for economic success, Wisconsin must avail
itself of all resources needed to respond to and contain the presence of COVID19.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TONY EVERS, Governor of the State of Wisconsin,
by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this state, and
specifically by Sections 321.39, 323.10, 323.12, and 323.13 of the Wisconsin
Statutes, h ereby:

1. Proclaim that a public health emergency, as defined in Section
323.02(16) of the Wisconsin Statutes, exists for the State of Wisconsin.
2. Designate the Department of Health Services as the lead agency to
respond to the public health emergency and direct the Department to
take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to
COVID-19.
3. Authorize the Adjutant General to activate the Wisconsin National Guard
as necessary and appropriate to assist in the State's response to the
public health emergency, including providing personnel to support the
August 11 primary election and personnel to operate community testing
sites throughout Wisconsin.
4. Direct all state agencies to assist as appropriate in the State's ongoing
response to the public health emergency.
5. Pursuant to Section 323.10 of the Wisconsin Statutes, this Public Health
Emergency shall remain in effect for 60 days, or until it is revoked by the
Governor
or by joint resolution of the Wisconsin State Legislature.
... "
~

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great seal of the State of Wisconsin to be
affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of
Madison this thirtieth day of July in the
year of two tho sand tw nty.

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By the Governor:
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GS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State