NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Evers asks for federal disaster declaration

Posted at 12:34 PM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-31 13:34:03-04

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Wisconsin (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for the state of Wisconsin due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Evers said he hoped the declaration, which covers all 72 counties and federally recognized tribes, would allow the state to access critical programs to support the state's response including community disaster loans, public assistance and crisis counseling.

"The response to this outbreak has caused multiple deaths, exhausted many of our resources, resulted in record unemployment claims, and taken a toll on the community infrastructure that is in place to protect the public," Evers said. "We need federal assistance to help rebuild those critical safety nets and ensure they remain strong."

As of Monday, there were more than 1,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state and at least 24 deaths, based on state and local health department reports.