Shorewood Coronavirus Cases Reaches 8; Impact Felt In Community

SHOREWOOD, WI — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen to eight in Shorewood in the midst of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Though it's a small fraction of the 393 confirmed cases in Milwaukee County, the impact is reaching deeper into the community.

Over the last week, Shorewood officials closed public buildings, and limited some key services for the forseeable future. This week, David Bowen, a Democratic State Rep. who represents parts of Shorewood and Milwaukee's northeast side in the state's 10th assembly district, said he's been infected with the new coronavirus.

"As of today, I am one of the 182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Milwaukee, and that number will only increase by the day," he said on March 23.

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Bowen, 33, said he's following advice from local health officials and is recovering in quarantine.

Earlier this week, Shorewood resident Pablo Muirhead talked about his own COVID-19 diagnosis on Youtube. In the video, Muirhead, a Shorewood School Board member and MATC instructor, said he was tested on March 12. His test came back positive for the virus, he said.

On March 19, Muirhead updated the public on his family, each of which was tested. You can view the video here:

Buildings Closed

Shorewood officials also published a list of closures, and schedule changes in the village due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Public Buildings

The following public buildings are now closed:

Public Works building
Police Department building
Senior Resource Center

Village Center lobby areas will be closed to the general public starting March 18.

Village Hall will also be closed except for restricted hours only for in-person absentee voting and voting registration. In-person absentee voting is by appointment only.

Public access to these public spaces will resume on Monday, April 13 unless noted.

Staff will still be working in the buildings. Residents are urged to either call, email, or use online services to get assistance.

Email addresses and phone numbers of staff are listed on the Shorewood Village website.

April 7 Election

In-person absentee voting at Village Hall began Thursday, March 19 and will be held through Friday, April 3 until 5 p.m. In-person absentee voting is by appointment only.

Village Hall will be open solely for that purpose as follows:

March 19-20: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
March 23, 24, 25: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
March 26-27: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
March 30, 31, April 1: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
April 2-3: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Trash and Recycling

At this time, refuse and recycling collection and other DPW services will continue subject to compliance with CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, hygiene, etc. There will be no new special collections for the foreseeable future.

Playgrounds in North Shore Public Lands

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the playgrounds throughout the North Shore are closed. Playground equipment should not be used until further notice.

Police Department

Police officers will continue to proceed with their daily work assignments and emergency responses.

For non-emergency police services, residents may be asked to be contacted via the phone in order to determine if an officer response is necessary or the call for service can be handled over the phone.

Drug drop-offs will not be accepted.

Fingerprinting services are suspended.

In-person payments are suspended during this time.

Parking citation payments need to be put in the drop box located in front of the police building. Click here to access police specific forms.

Acceptance of food donations have been temporarily suspended.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has canceled the Drug Take Back event originally scheduled on Saturday, April 25.

Shorewood Public Library

The Shorewood Public Library closed starting Monday, March 16 and will remain closed until Monday, April 13 unless noted. Due dates for materials currently checked out will be extended until May 1.

Senior Resource Center Operations

The Village of Shorewood closed Senior Resource Center programming and public access to the SRC office at least through April 10.

Community members needing assistance may still contact Senior Resource Center Coordinator Elizabeth Price at 414-847-2727 or via email at eprice@villageofshorewood.org.

Related Reading

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