Oconto County Public Health Press Releases

Wisconsin Receives Federal Approval to Implement Housing Benefits

October 27, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide housing support for low-income Wisconsin families in need. Those who are eligible include families with children 18 and younger and individuals who are pregnant who have low income (below 200% of the federal poverty level) and…

DHS Encourages All Wisconsinites to Take Steps to Prevent Childhood Lead Exposure

October 25, 2022

During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging all Wisconsinites take steps to prevent and detect childhood lead exposure by getting the facts, helping children get tested for lead exposure, and checking homes for lead hazards. “During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we urge awareness and…

State Agencies Launch Real Talks Campaign to Prevent and Reduce Substance Use

October 20, 2022

In response to rising rates of substance use across Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers, the Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have unveiled Real Talks Wisconsin, an effort to give residents the information they need to keep themselves, their families, and their communities healthy and safe. Real Talks Wisconsin promotes frequent conversations to…

FREE HARM REDUCTION KITS AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP FROM OCONTO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

October 17, 2022

Free drug harm reduction kits containing Narcan, fentanyl test strips and education on how to use these items will be available for pick up from Oconto County Public Health starting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Oconto County health officials announced today.  “Harm reduction is one piece of a comprehensive initiative to impact substance abuse and…

Free Fentanyl Test Strips Now Available Statewide

October 13, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced that 120,600 fentanyl test strips have been distributed to organizations across the state to help prevent drug overdose deaths. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin. “Wisconsinites who use drugs are more likely to encounter fentanyl than ever before,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen…

All Wisconsinites Age 5 and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Boosters

October 13, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is urging Wisconsinites to get an updated COVID-19 booster vaccination and their annual flu shot ahead of the upcoming holiday season. People can safely get their COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines at the same time, including the annual flu vaccine. Everyone age 5 and older is now eligible…

Potential Data Disclosure May Have Affected Certain Wisconsin Medicaid Members

October 10, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced on October 7, 2022 that on August 8, 2022, as part of a cybersecurity incident investigation, DHS was notified that a presentation emailed to the DHS Children’s Long-Term Support Council in April 2021 contained protected health information. This presentation was forwarded to employees working for county government…

Minnesota Health Officials Concerned by Increase in Measles Cases and Potential for Outbreak

October 10, 2022

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is working with local public health agencies and health care providers in the Twin Cities area to investigate 13 cases of measles that occurred June through September among several different families with unvaccinated children. Most of these children had a history of travel to a country where measles is…

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

October 10, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is expanding the eligibility criteria for who can get vaccinated to protect themselves against monkeypox. Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new eligibility criteria allow for more people who may be at a higher risk for being exposed to the monkeypox virus to…

Stay Healthy this Fall: COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Booster Shots Still Available with No Out-of-Pocket Cost

September 28, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) are reminding Wisconsinites that their COVID-19 at-home tests and booster shots are still available with no out-of-pocket cost. Doses of the updated COVID-19 boosters are in Wisconsin and will continue to be delivered to providers over the next several weeks.…