Did Wisconsin Primary Spread Coronavirus? Cases Traced To Voting Continue To Grow

At least three dozen people who participated in Wisconsin’s April 7 primary election reportedly have tested positive for the coronavirus. Politico, quoting state health officials, reported Monday the state has been able to track 36 cases back to election day.

“So far, 36 people who tested COVID-19 positive after April 9 have reported that they voted in person or worked the polls on election day,” Jennifer Miller, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, told Politico. Several of the individuals, however, reported multiple instances where they could have been exposed, muddying the analysis.

Milwaukee Public Radio, WUWM, reported the number is even higher. The station reported 40 people in Milwaukee County alone tested positive after participating in the primary. Wisconsin has confirmed at least 6,081 cases of coronavirus with 281 deaths, most in the Milwaukee area. At least 17% of those infected are healthcare workers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Gov. Tony Evers tried to postpone the primary but was thwarted by the state Supreme Court. Voters, especially in Milwaukee waiting in long lines, sometimes for hours, before being able to vote. The state hired contact tracers to track spread of the disease.

On Monday, Evers expanded the types of nonessential businesses that will be allowed to reopen, allowing curbside drop-off for goods and pets to allow dog groomers, small engine repair shops, upholstery businesses and others to open. The order also applied to outdoor recreational rentals – including boats, golf carts, kayaks and ATVs – and automatic or self-service car washes.

“This order means that every business across our state can do things like deliveries, mailings, curbside pick-up and drop-off, and it's an important step in making sure that while folks are staying safer at home, they can also continue to support small businesses across our state,” Evers said.