Oconto County Public Health Press Releases
During National Radon Action Month, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging residents and business owners to test their homes and buildings for radon. Exposure to radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer nationally, and easy-to-use tests are widely available. “Radon is an environmental health issue in our state. Approximately one in 10 homes…
Health Department partners with local municipalities to offer $5 radon tests to help prevent lung cancer The Oconto County Health Department is lowering the price of radon tests to encourage Oconto County residents to test for radon gas in their homes. The easy to use tests will be for sale at the discounted price of…
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death in Wisconsin for the 2022-2023 season. Nationwide, 30 pediatric influenza-associated deaths have been reported. DHS encourages all Wisconsinites, especially children, to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Early data show this year’s flu vaccine is a match to current…
Nearly everyone age 6 months and older is now eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccination, except for children 6 months through 4 years of age who have already completed the original (also known as monovalent) three-dose Pfizer primary series. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging Wisconsinites to get an updated (also known as…
Data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) show influenza (flu) activity is increasing significantly throughout Wisconsin ahead of the December holiday season, mirroring trends being observed around the country. As of December 1, 2022, only 31% of Wisconsin residents have received their single-dose flu vaccine. DHS urges Wisconsinites to get vaccinated against the flu as soon…
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) today remind Wisconsinites they have one week left to enroll in a health plan available on the federal marketplace to receive coverage that begins the first of the year (January 1, 2023). Those who already have insurance through the federal…
In both 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 cases surged during the colder months. As colder weather returns, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reminds Wisconsinites of the available programs for accessing COVID-19 self-tests and treatment. All Wisconsinites are encouraged to utilize these services to keep themselves and those around them safe this holiday season. Wisconsinites…
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging Wisconsinites to order free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and have them delivered directly to their house through the state-supported Say Yes! COVID Test program. Starting today, all Wisconsin households are eligible to place an order every month for one free test kit that contains five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests on…
With respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV circulating at high levels nationwide, the 2022-2023 respiratory season has the potential to be severe, especially for young children and older adults. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued an alert to Wisconsin health care providers(link is external), and urges everyone to get all recommended…
On October 20, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released its Influenza Vaccine Update and launched a new online flu vaccine data dashboard. Together, the report and data dashboard provide a look at previous and current flu vaccine rates statewide, and highlight communities and areas of the state more vulnerable to the seasonal flu. As of…