COVID-19 UPDATES FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS

As issues continue to develop and change at a quick rate with COVID-19, the Coronavirus, we at the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) are working alongside Governor Tony Evers, the Administration, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and our general counsel, Attolles Law, s.c., to provide the latest resources and updates to assist county officials during this unprecedented time.

COVID-19 Daily Update: 7.17.2020

July 17, 2020

COVID-19 DAILY HEALTH UPDATE
Key Data Summary Updates for July 17, 2020 
Total People Tested: 752,704 (+13,407 from prior day)
Positive (Confirmed Case): 40,507 (+880)
Confirmed Case Information-Recovery Status:
Recovered: 31,258 (77.2%)
Active: 8,411 (20.8%)
Deaths: 833 (+2) Percent who Died: 2.1%
Hospitalizations: Ever hospitalized: 4.031 (+63)
Percent Ever Hospitalized: 10.0%

WCA JOINS COALITION IN SENDING LETTER TO FEDERAL DELEGATION, STRESSING NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
The Wisconsin Counties Association has signed onto a letter to our federal delegation stressing the need for additional funding for state and local governments from the federal government. 
The letter, from Governor Evers and signed on by a large group of associations and advocacy groups, emphasized that federal relief is critical in ensuring that state and local governments are able to continue making strong investments in our communities in the coming months and years. 

UPDATED! WCA Q&A ON ROUTES TO RECOVERY
The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) has received multiple questions about the Routes to Recovery program and eligible expenditures.

When received, WCA has submitted questions to the Governor’s office seeking clarification. Please see below the questions WCA has submitted and updated answers (if available) received from the Governor’s office. In addition, we have included questions received by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and the answers they received.

DATCP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COVID-19 FOOD SECURITY NETWORK SUPPORT GRANTS
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is inviting food banks and pantries to apply for COVID-19 Food Security Network Support Grants now until 5:00 PM on July 22, 2020.

Earlier this month, the department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an estimated $5 million in grants to help with costs incurred by food banks and pantries related to COVID-19. Applications can be completed online at FoodSecurity.wi.gov.

Grant funds will be distributed through a competitive review process, and will be awarded for costs that are related to COVID-19 and are incurred between March 1, 2020-December 30, 2020. Pantries are strongly encouraged to work through their respective food banks to ensure their needs are represented and demonstrate partnerships, rather than submit their own separate application. Payments are estimated to be issued beginning in mid-August.

The COVID-19 Food Security Network Grants are made possible by funding provided by Governor Tony Evers through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This first round of grants will go toward food banks and pantries to support the adaptations they have made in response to COVID-19. An RFP for a second round of grants will be released later in July and will focus on helping the food security network strengthen partnerships to bring Wisconsin agricultural products to Wisconsin residents in need. 

The full RFP, application with instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at FoodSecurity.wi.gov. Questions should be emailed to DATCPFoodSecurityInitiative@wisconsin.gov.

ICYMI: WISCONSIN COUNTIES WEB EXTRA: PANDEMIC AMPLIFIES BROADBAND ACCESS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
The broadband infrastructure in this nation has been uniquely tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. The July edition of Wisconsin Counties examines both the strengths and weaknesses of this critical infrastructure from a variety of perspectives.

There are online materials and resources, ranging from television programs to national and local news that are included in this Web Extra to add value to the articles in the print edition.