Live coronavirus updates: WIAA cancels girls, boys state basketball tournaments; Elmbrook Schools moves classes online
Updates on coronavirus and how it's affecting life in Wisconsin from reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the USA Today Network-Wisconsin.
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11:12 p.m.: WIAA girls and boys state basketball tournaments canceled
No state basketball champions will be crowned this season.
After the girls state basketball tournament and boys sectional semifinal games were played today under attendance restrictions, the WIAA announced late Thursday that both tournaments have been canceled effective immediately due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The girls tournament was supposed to continue through Saturday at the Resch Center, while the boys were to play sectional finals on Saturday. Their state tournament was scheduled for next week at the Kohl Center. However, the Kohl Center had informed the WIAA on Thursday the facility would no longer host the boys tournament.
“I want the student-athletes and their coaches to know that your school leaders, the WIAA Executive Staff, all our committees and the Board of Control have done everything imaginable to try to provide and preserve these opportunities for you,” Executive Director Dave Anderson said. “However, we want and need to be responsible in helping the global and state efforts to stem the tide and spread of this virus.”
The WIAA said tickets for the girls and boys state basketball tournaments will be refunded in full.
— Christopher Kuhagen
9:15 p.m.: MPS cancels out-of-state trips, some events
Milwaukee Public Schools is canceling all out-of-state trips through April 13 and several local events in the coming weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the district announced late Thursday.
So far, the following events have been scrapped, according to its website.
March 13-15: March of Champions Basketball Tournament involving elementary and middle school students at various locations.
March 14: Competitive Swim Meet at Riverside University High School.
March 16-17: Seventh Annual Summit on Black Male Youth.
March 17: United Nations Schools of International Learning (UNSIL) World Fair.
March 17: Elementary Adaptive Athletics Bocce Event at Vincent High School.
March 21: Cheer Showcase at North Division High School.
March 26: MPS STEM Fair.
In addition to the cancellations, MPS is encouraging families to avoid nonessential out-of-state travel. It said it would limit participation in large gatherings and may institute "social distancing" for gatherings such as morning meetings, lunches and parent-teacher conferences.
— Annysa Johnson
9 p.m.: St. Francis School District has 'potential exposure'
Someone in the St. Francis School District had “potential exposure” to the coronavirus, Superintendent Mark Elworthy said in a letter to parents.
The exposure is not a case of community outbreak, Elworthy said. “Community spread” means the origin of the disease is unknown.
For this reason, the district plans to continue classes as normal. It will increase cleaning and sanitizing procedures, Elworthy said.
— Sophie Carson
8 p.m.: Mayor, health officials prepare for pandemic to reach Milwaukee
Nearly 20 officials from the private and public health sectors and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett held a press conference Thursday evening at City Hall to provide updates on preparations for when the coronavirus reaches Milwaukee.
Barrett said that with no confirmed cases in the city, officials are in a preparation stage right now. But, he said, he is convinced based on talking with health professionals that the city will see not just one case but many cases.
“Rather than waiting until that happens, we have over the last several weeks now been working around the clock to determine how we are going to respond to this,” he said.
He said officials are working on getting more locations for taking samples that will then be tested. Right now, there isn’t great demand, he said, but it will increase.
Barrett also said it’s necessary to make sure emergency rooms and the 911 system aren’t overwhelmed.
They’re also talking about the need for additional hospital beds, he said, because many systems are at capacity right now.
“This is a challenge unlike any challenge many, if not all of us, have ever faced,” Barrett said, pledging to continue to work together to respond to the virus.
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said the city was grateful to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for declaring a health emergency, saying that the declaration allows the Health Department to have access to additional resources to make sure first responders and health workers are protected.
There remain no confirmed cases in the city of Milwaukee, she said, so at this time officials are not recommending closures of schools or businesses but are recommending limiting all non-essential events with more than 250 people. There will be mandated closures once the city has a case, she said.
— Alison Dirr
7:45 p.m.: Elmbrook Schools switches to virtual classes
Elmbrook School District is the first school district in the Milwaukee area to suspend in-person classes, as they announced they will be moving to virtual classes beginning Monday, March 16.
No students will report to school from Monday, March 16, to Friday, March 20, the school district's website said.
Spring break will take place as planned from March 23-27, the school district said.
Any plans for school after spring break will be determined and communicated in the coming days.
— Evan Casey
6:54 p.m.: Packers close business operations for two weeks
The Green Bay Packers have announced they are closing their business operations to the public for two weeks beginning Friday.
The closings include all Lambeau Field Atrium businesses including the Packers Pro Shop, Packers Hall of Fame, 1919 Kitchen & Tap and all activities in Titletown.
6:20 p.m.: Two MSOE students tested
Two students at the Milwaukee School of Engineering were tested for the virus Thursday, after they perceived to have symptoms of COVID-19.
Spokeswoman JoEllen Burdue told the Journal Sentinel that the students were isolated and did not travel to any of the countries affected by the virus. Burdue did not know if the students lived on campus.
MSOE canceled in-person classes late Thursday beginning March 13 and through March 20. Faculty will prepare to move classes online during that week, and online instruction will being March 23 through at least April 13. Students living in residence halls are asked to go home if possible for that time period.
— Devi Shastri
6 p.m.: Tech schools make changes
Two area technical colleges, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Waukesha Area Technical College, changed campus operations Thursday.
MATC will suspend all in-person classes starting Monday, with plans to move online from March 23 to April 14. College-sponsored travel outside of Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Washington counties is suspended.
WCTC will have spring break from Monday to March 22. All in-person are canceled from March 23 to March 29, except fully online courses, truck driving, criminal justice-law enforcement academy, internships, Small Business Center courses, and select clinicals and Protective Services courses.
— Devi Shastri
5:50 p.m. UWM Foundation employee tests negative
The UWM Foundation employee who the university announced was being tested for COVID-19 Tuesday is negative for the disease.
The university also canceled all study abroad programs for the spring semester, bringing 63 students stateside. This is after the CDC expanded the number of countries with Level 3 travel warnings.
— Devi Shastri
5:30 p.m.: Democrats change organizing strategy
Wisconsin Democrats are making a big shift amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The party announced Thursday that its annual Founders Day dinner April 4 has been postponed. The key event is especially important during presidential years, usually attracting top national candidates.
In addition, the party said other in-person gatherings will be postponed or moved online as the party ramps up what it is calling "all-virtual organizing."
Instead of knocking on doors, the party will engage in a "digital organizing" program leading to the April 7 election.
Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said: “The health and safety of Wisconsinites is our number one priority. It's time for all groups and institutions with events planned in the next few weeks to take swift action to slow the spread of coronavirus.”
— Bill Glauber
5:10 p.m.: Bucks announce ticket policy for postponed games
The Bucks announced their ticketing policy Thursday in the wake of the indefinite suspension of the NBA season amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The team said that tickets held for any postponed game will be valid for the rescheduled date, "when that is determined."
— Bill Glauber
5:05 p.m.: Dane County suspends some in-person appearances
In Dane County, the circuit courts have suspended in-person appearances for most civil and family matters, and postponed all matters for out-of-custody criminal defendants until after April 17, unless held by telephone or video conference.
But if a defendant does not hear from the court about a new date or remote hearing, they should appear in court at the scheduled time. The order covers everything from initial appearances to sentencings.
— Bruce Vielmetti
5 p.m.: WIAA says Kohl Center not available for state boys basketball
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic announced that it was informed that the Kohl Center will not be available for the state boys basketball tournament scheduled for March 19-21.
Members of the WIAA Board of Control and Executive Staff will convene for a meeting Thursday to discuss options for the remainder of the boys basketball tournament series and the continuation of the state girls basketball tournament in Green Bay, which is currently ongoing.
The WIAA announced Thursday morning that both tournaments were still scheduled to be held but with a limit of 88 tickets given out per team for only immediate family to use.
As of the WIAA’s afternoon release, neither tournament had been canceled.
— Curt Hogg
4:53 p.m.: Milwaukee hockey, soccer teams' seasons halted
The Major Arena Soccer league announced Thursday it would end its regular season immediately and make decisions on the status of other league events at a later date.
The reigning champion Milwaukee Wave had four games remaining on its schedule over the next two weeks, including a home game Friday at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Neither the team nor league announced refund policies.
And the American Hockey League, which includes the Milwaukee Admirals, took the NHL's lead and suspended its season Thursday.
The Admirals had two games scheduled this weekend – as well as a postgame concert Saturday night – at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
A news release on the Admirals' website said:
Fans who have tickets to upcoming games can receive refunds at the point of sale as the cancellations occur, the Admirals said.
Fans who have purchased tickets via credit card will have their charges automatically refunded. Full and half season ticket holders will have the money from cancelled games rolled over to playoff games or the 2020-21 season.
4:34 p.m.: Health department asks residents to avoid travel
The Milwaukee Health Department echoed the state in encouraging residents to avoid travel that isn’t essential and limit events with more than 250 people in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus locally.
“Mass gatherings and large community events bring people from multiple jurisdictions into close contact with each other, which has the potential to increase COVID-19 transmission,” the department said in a statement.
— Alison Dirr
4:15 p.m.: Archbishop Listecki grants special dispensation for next three Sundays
Catholics in southeastern Wisconsin will not be required to attend weekly Masses over the next three Sundays, out of concern over the spread of the coronavirus, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki announced on Thursday.
"The Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced today that Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has dispensed Catholics from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus. The dispensation will cover the next three Sundays, including Masses for March 15, 22 and 29.
"Masses will still be celebrated across the 10 counties of the archdiocese, but the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will be lifted, leaving attendance to people’s individual judgment."
“If people are fearful about crowds or if there are people who are older or suffer from an existing medical condition, we do not want to put them at any additional risk,” Archbishop Listecki said. “These are measures to prevent an increase in the spread of a virus and serve as a safety net for the next two weeks. After that, we will re-evaluate.”
Sunday Mass is available in the archdiocese via broadcast in two forms, on the radio, at 9 a.m., Sunday mornings, on Radio 920 AM, W.O.L.F., and on broadcast television on WVTV, My24 at 7 a.m., and 9 a.m., and on WITI Fox 6, at 5:30 a.m.
In place of attending Mass for those Catholics who choose to remain home, the Church asks that they set aside a similar amount of time for private prayer and reflection.
The obligation to attend Sunday Mass dates back to the 4th century. The Second Vatican Council reiterated the Church’s requirement that the faithful attend Mass on Sunday, as the chief act of worship for Catholics.
4 p.m.: Oriental Theatre limits capacity for screenings
Milwaukee Film, the operators of the Oriental Theatre, announced that they are capping capacity for their screenings at 33% through the end of April.
"This will help give all our filmgoers some extra space at the cinema," Milwaukee Film said in a statement Thursday.
The biggest auditorium at the historic movie palace at 2230 N. Farwell Ave. has a seating capacity of 1,080, including 554 seats on the main floor. As part of the state's declaration of a public health emergency, Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm recommended Thursday to cancel any events of more than 250 people to help contain the spread of the virus.
— Chris Foran
3:21 p.m.: NCAA cancels men's and women's basketball tournament due to coronavirus concerns
The NCAA will not crown a men's or women's basketball champion in 2020.
Conceding defeat to the COVID-19 virus and a cascade of uncertainty about how bad its ongoing spread might impact public health across the United States, the NCAA announced Thursday all its winter and spring championships have been canceled after a series of moves across multiple sports leagues that foreshadowed the eventual arrival at this decision. Read more
3:05 p.m.: Two new cases of coronavirus in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Dane County health department confirmed on Thursday two more people tested positive for the coronavirus.
Both individuals are in Dane County and had contact with an individual who tested positive for the virus earlier this week.
“This brings the total of confirmed cases to seven in just one week. As we see more cases, we remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent the spread of infection to others in the community," State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers said in a statement. “These cases should serve to remind all of us about the importance of social distancing and maintaining good hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease.” Read more
2:23 p.m.: Brewers Opening Day delayed by two weeks; spring training halted
Major League Baseball has elected to cease spring-training games and delay the start of opening day by at least two weeks, the latest in many unprecedented steps taken by the sports world to combat coronavirus.
The Milwaukee Brewers were slated to open the regular season at Miller Park on March 26 against the Chicago Cubs. Major League Baseball announced games would stop Thursday afternoon, an action that was "being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans." Read more
2:23 p.m.: Blake Shelton is the latest local concert delayed
A fourth major tour, and Milwaukee concert, has been delayed because of coronavirus concerns. Blake Shelton, who was set to bring his Friends & Heroes tour to Fiserv Forum March 20, will now be playing Milwaukee in spring 2021.
It's the third Fiserv Forum concert that was delayed on Thursday because of the pandemic. Kenny Chesney and Florida Georgia Line's April 25 show at Miller Park has also been postponed.
The show next week was also set to feature the Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, Trace Adkins and Lauren Alaina. All purchased tickets will be honored for the new date, yet to be announced. Refunds will be available for ticket holders who cannot attend the new Milwaukee show.
It's one of five dates on Shelton's spring tour this month that was impacted.
— Piet Levy
2:22 p.m.: Apartments planned for downtown Waukesha lose investor
An apartment development planned for downtown Waukesha has lost an investor concerned about a possible global economic slowdown tied to the coronavirus.
But developer Michael Campbell hopes to find another investor, and begin construction of the Reserve of Waukesha by mid-summer. Read more
2:10 p.m.: NHL, MLS join NBA in suspending seasons
The NHL became the third major professional league in two days to suspend its season, announcing Thursday it would stop playing indefinitely because of the coronavirus outbreak. The pause goes into effect with Thursday night's games.
And the American Hockey League, which includes the Milwaukee Admirals, took the NHL's lead and suspended its season Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Major League Soccer had suspended it season for 30 days, the announcement coming less than 24 hours after the NBA put its season on hold. MLS cited "the advice and guidance" of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Canadian health authorities.
— USA Today
1:47 p.m.: State Elections Commission holds emergency meeting on April 7 election
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is holding an emergency meeting Thursday to determine how to handle the April 7 election as the coronavirus spreads.
Specifically, the commission will be looking at giving local officials the power to move polling places and determining how to distribute absentee ballots in nursing homes.
Polling places have already been set because state law requires them to be determined 30 days before an election. The commission will consider ways to move them if necessary, such as if a polling place is somewhere where the virus has been detected or where vulnerable people typically gather.
The other issue that must be addressed is absentee voting for nursing home residents.
During typical elections, poll workers known as special voting deputies visit nursing homes and care centers to distribute absentee ballots. They go from room to room so residents can fill out their absentee ballots and place them in envelopes that will be opened on election day.
Amid the outbreak, officials want to limit contact between nursing home residents and others. The commission will consider whether it can find a new way to distribute absentee ballots to those residents.
The commission consists of three Democrats and three Republicans. It sets statewide policies, but elections are run at the local level.
The commission abruptly called the meeting for 3 p.m. using a provision of the law that allows meetings to be held with two hours’ notice. Ordinarily, meetings must be publicly noticed 24 hours ahead of time.
— Patrick Marley
1:35 p.m.: New York Fed injects $1.5 trillion into the markets
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Thursday took steps to inject more than $1.5 trillion into the markets in a bid to calm investors who are fearful of the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Stocks briefly pared their steep losses Thursday afternoon. But the extremely volatile market activity continued: The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 index were down 7.8% and 7.3%, respectively, around 1:40 p.m.
With market chaos swirling, the New York Fed's Open Market Trading Desk revealed plans to flood the short-term funding markets with capital.
"These changes are being made to address highly unusual disruptions in Treasury financing markets associated with the coronavirus outbreak," the Fed said in a statement.
— USA Today
1:24 p.m.: WIAA state basketball tournaments are still on, but with significantly limited attendance
The WIAA state boys and girls basketball tournaments are among the latest sporting events to be impacted by the coronavirus.
Both events still are scheduled to be held at their original locations, but attendance will be limited to 88 tickets per team for distribution to immediate family members, the organization announced Thursday morning.
"Contest officials, timer, scorekeeper, announcer, team host, WIAA staff, WIAA athletic trainers and Board of Control members deemed essential to the administration of the tournament are permitted," the WIAA said in a release.
"Cheerleaders, pep bands, school photographers, videographers and on-site sponsors will be prohibited."
1:08 p.m.: Kenny Chesney postpones Miller Park stop
The concert cancellations keep coming. Kenny Chesney and Florida Georgia Line's stadium blowout at Miller Park on April 25, the second date of Chesney's "Chillaxification Tour," is also being postponed because of coronavirus concerns.
No new date has been announced for the Milwaukee show, or the 10 others being postponed through May 28.
“In times of uncertainty, I won’t take chances with those I love," Chesney said in a statement. "I can’t imagine, as much as we love being out there playing for the fans, being able to do that through the worry our nation is experiencing.
“So, while we wait to see how this terrible virus is going to impact our country, I think it’s only fair to move these first several dates now," he continued. "We are figuring some of this out as we go, but I know people buy airline tickets, book hotel rooms – and I wanted to try to give everyone as much time to sort that out as possible.”
According a press release, Chesney hopes to announce new dates within six weeks. All those unable to attend the rescheduled concerts will get a refund
1:05 p.m.: Islamic Society canceling programs
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee said it is canceling programs at its Milwaukee and Brookfield mosques, cutting their Friday prayers in Milwaukee to 15 minutes and urging many to pray at home rather than attend the masjids. All members in Brookfield are urged to do prayers at home rather than at the mosque. The Milwaukee site is discouraging anyone who is ill, those over 60 and under 13 and women not to attend the mosque. And it's cutting its Friday payers to 15 minutes.
— Annysa Johnson
12:46 p.m.: Michael Bublé concert, tourism conference among cancellations
An hour after country pop duo Dan + Shaypostponed their spring tour, including a Fiserv Forum show scheduled for April 11, crooner Michael Bublé has postponed all of his North American shows scheduled through April 5. That includes a Fiserv Forum show that was scheduled for March 29.
“I was looking forward to getting back on the road but the safety of my fans and my touring family of course take priority under the current circumstances," Bublé said in a statement. "We will be coming back soon with new dates and everyone will be safe to enjoy a great night out. Stay well everyone."
New dates have yet to be announced, but all tickets purchased for the Milwaukee show will be honored.
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism also postponed a conference Thursday for two months to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism was to be held Sunday through Tuesday. It will now be held May 26-28 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.
“Postponing the conference was not a decision our team took lightly,” said a statement from Tourism Secretary Sara Meaney. “Our industry leaders want to be in their communities working to lead during this uncertain time and that is exactly where they should be.”
— Patrick Marley and Piet Levy
12:17 p.m.: Report indicates Major League Baseball prepared to delay start of season
Jeff Passan of ESPN.com is reporting that Major League Baseball is expected to suspend spring training and the league will delay the beginning of the regular season, as well.
The Brewers had two split-squad games on the docket Thursday, and both were canceled on account of rainy weather.
The Brewers were scheduled to open the season March 26 — the earliest Opening Day in Major League history (not counting some games played in other countries) — against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park.
Elsewhere in sports, the Big East Tournament pulled the plug after the first half of Thursday's opener between St. John's and Creighton had been completed. It means all the major-conference men's basketball tournaments across the country had all been canceled.
Marquette was scheduled to play late Thursday against Seton Hall.
— JR Radcliffe
12:07 p.m.: St. Patrick's Day parade canceled
The City of Milwaukee, Westown Association and the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin have made the unified decision to cancel the 54th Annual Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 14 due to the growing concerns of the coronavirus.
— Chelsey Lewis
11:57 a.m.: First Milwaukee concert rescheduled because of coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted its first concert in Milwaukee.
Country pop duo Dan + Shay postponed all the spring dates of "THE (ARENA) TOUR" Thursday morning. That includes a show scheduled for Fiserv Forum on April 11. It will now take place Aug. 28.
"After the mandatory postponement of our Philadelphia show, and several others in the coming weeks, we have made the collective decision (with our team and health officials) to postpone the spring leg," the band wrote in a statement. "These shows mean the world to us, and it was important that they be postponed and not canceled, but more than the shows, our fans mean the world to us, and protecting their safety is the number one priority. We want the shows to be memorable, and not experienced with fear."
"Thank you all for your patience and understanding," the band continued. "It is a strange, strange time for all of us, but we felt this was the right thing to do."
All previously purchased tickets will be honored.
— Piet Levy
11:47 a.m.: Marquette, Carthage adjust schedules
Marquette University suspended in-person classes from March 16 to March 20. During that time, students are still expected to complete assignments an coursework - the cancellation is not an extension of spring break, which is in progress this week. Online instruction will take place from March 23 to April 10.
Students who live in on-campus housing and university apartments have been told not to return to campus before April 10. Campus events with more than 50 people are also canceled through at least April 10. University business remains open, though the university will work with staff on options to work from home.
Carthage College announced it will extend spring break by one week, beginning Monday and running through March 20. From March 23, all undergraduate and graduate classes will be through online or remote methods until April 9. Carthage will then go into its Easter break from April 10 to April 13, before which the college will decide how it will operate for the remainder of the semester. All college offices and services will stay open throughout the online learning period.
— Devi Shastri
11:45 a.m.: Milwaukee Storytellers event March 24 postponed
The Milwaukee Storytellers Project event "Love" scheduled for March 24 at Good City Brewing has been postponed.
11:34 a.m.: Oshkosh school volunteer might have virus, school undergoes cleaning
An Oshkosh middle school underwent a precautionary cleaning after the district found out a school volunteer works with a Fond du Lac County resident who state officials confirmed has the new coronavirus.
Perry Tipler Middle School, 325 S. Eagle St., underwent a deep cleaning overnight as a precautionary measure, according to a letter sent Thursday to families. The volunteer is not a confirmed case but had contact with the infected person nine days ago.
"Because the individual is not showing any signs of being sick and with the lapse of time, the Health Department considers this to be a VERY LOW threat for our school community," the letter stated.
The school district is working closely with the Winnebago County Health Department to monitor active cases in the region, according to the district.
— Nat Shuda
11:12 a.m.: Evers cancels Capitol tours
Gov. Tony Evers’ administration said it would end tours of the Wisconsin Capitol starting Friday amid the coronavirus outbreak, but leave the building open to the public.
Starting Friday, the tours will be canceled until further notice “to ensure the health and safety of both the public and the staff,” according to the state Department of Administration. The announcement came just hours after Congress shut down the U.S. Capitol.
Members of the public are still able to come into the Wisconsin Capitol and look around on their own.
A full shutdown of the Statehouse would require approval from all three branches of government, according to Evers spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff.
Tours of the Capitol were ongoing Thursday, with dozens of people at a time being shown legislative chambers and the hearing room of the state Supreme Court.
11:06 a.m.: Big Ten Tournament canceled
The Big Ten elected to cancel the remainder of its tournament in Indianapolis, a mere 15 minutes before Michigan and Rutgers were scheduled to tip off in the first game of the day.
Wisconsin was slated to meet the winner of that game tomorrow morning but will not play again until the NCAA Tournament — presuming it continues as scheduled next week.
The tournament was already prepared to play without most fans.
"The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus."
On Wednesday night, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg appeared visibly ill and left the bench shortly before the game concluded. It was determined he had Influenza-A and not the coronavirus, though Nebraska players were momentarily quarantined thereafter.
10:12 a.m.: Barrett: 'Matter of hours, not days' until Milwaukee has a case
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said on the radio Thursday that he believes the first coronavirus case is close to coming to Milwaukee.
As of Thursday morning, there were a total of six confirmed cases in Wisconsin, three of which were announced Wednesday and were in Fond du Lac and Waukesha Counties. The first patient, a Dane County resident, has recovered.
“We know that it has not gotten here,” Barrett said on Wisconsin’s Morning News on WTMJ-AM (620). "But I believe that it is a matter of hours, not of days, before we have a case. The fact that it’s in Waukesha now, the fact that it’s in Fond du Lac, the number of cases in Illinois. I would like to pretend that it’s not going to hit here, but I think that would be foolhardy. I want us to do everything we can to be prepared and get ahead of this thing and be proactive.”
-Alison Dirr
9:40 a.m. Celtics spent night in Milwaukee under self-quarantine
Reports have indicated that the Boston Celtics are headed back home Thursday after spending the night in Milwaukee under the guidelines of self-quarantine. The Celtics are one of several teams that recently faced off with the Utah Jazz, whose standout center, Rudy Gobert, reportedly was the player who tested positive for coronavirus.
The Celtics and Jazz squared off March 6. Boston was in town to face the Bucks on Thursday night, but the NBA suspended the season until further notice following the revelation that a Utah player had tested positive. The Jazz also recently faced the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, and Utah was in the arena set to tip off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night before the game was abruptly halted. Players on all teams are advised to be under self-quarantine.
9:10 a.m. Cardinal Stritch suspends face-to-face classes
Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee on Thursday joined the growing list of colleges and universities suspending face-to-face classes in in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Stritch courses will go online March 16 through 31. It is also postponing all campus events; however it has not made a final decision on athletic events, practices and travel. Final decisions are expected to be made by the end of the week.
8:45 a.m.: WIAA basketball state tournaments will have limited attendance
The WIAA boys basketball tournament will remain on schedule at the Kohl Center in Madison, but teams will be allotted a specified number of tickets per roster member. The event is scheduled to run March 19-21, with sectionals around the state slated for tonight and Saturday. In other words, it'll be a mostly empty arena, but the event will still be televised and streamed live.
"Tickets will be given to each team for distribution," the release said. "UW-Madison discourages non-essential personal travel."
The girls basketball tournament, set to begin in Green Bay on Thursday and run through Saturday, will also observe restrictions on attendance.
The policy limits attendance at the state tournament to 88 tickets per team, two supervisors and a limit of 22 team personnel.
A media conference with Executive Director Dave Anderson will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
7:35 a.m.: Viking Cruises cancels all cruises until May 1
Viking Cruises announced it is cancelling cruises through April 30, becoming the first major cruise line to take such drastic measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen wrote in a letter to passengers Wednesday that the company had made the "difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations" for river and ocean cruises beginning Thursday through April 30.
"I am writing today because the situation has now become such that operating as a travel company involves significant risks of quarantines or medical detentions, which could diminish the travel experiences for which our guests have been planning," Hagen wrote. "As a private company with strong finances, we do not have to worry about quarterly profit expectations – and that flexibility allows us the ability to do what is best for our guests and our employees, as we have always done."
6:25 a.m.: European Union leaders slam Trump's sweeping coronavirus travel ban
The European Union on Thursday strongly criticized President Donald Trump's decision to "unilaterally" impose a sweeping ban on travel from European countries to the United States as part of efforts to stop the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
"The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel said in a joint statement.
They said Trump's move was taken "without consultation" from the EU.
5:45 a.m.: After two confirmed cases in Fond du Lac County, officials offer increased screening
After two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fond du Lac County, the health department and Agnesian HealthCare are offering more services to people who are concerned about exposure.
Starting today, people can call 844-225-0147 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more direction from health officials, and a screening location has been established, according to the Fond du Lac County Health Department. People who have been screened and need more testing will be directed to a testing site.
People who are worried they have symptoms are asked to call the number before going to a healthcare facility, including urgent care or the emergency department.
Fond du Lac County Public Health officer Kim Mueller said in a news release the health department and Agnesian HealthCare have plans and protocols in place for caring for respiratory illnesses.
“As this is an illness that can be passed from person to person, all impacted patients have been placed in isolation and all caregivers are following CDC guidelines in using protective equipment, such as respirator masks, gloves and gowns, to prevent spread of the virus,” Mueller said. “As such, there is minimal risk of infection for other patients and staff.”
- Jake Prinsen
10 p.m., March 10: Trump postpones Milwaukee campaign event
President Donald Trump has postponed his "Catholics for Trump" campaign event in Milwaukee amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Tim Murtaugh, the director of communications for the 2020 campaign, tweeted that the March 19 event would be rescheduled for a later date "out of an abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak."
Trump was to launch a "Catholics for Trump" coalition at the Wisconsin Center.