MILWAUKEE — Five mildly symptomatic COVID-19 cases involving the Omicron variant found in Alameda County, California, have been linked to a wedding in Milwaukee County.

A health department in California initially announced Friday evening, writing that the outbreak was connected to a wedding in Wisconsin.

Shortly afterward, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed that the wedding happened in Milwaukee County on Nov. 27.

DHS said the City of Milwaukee Health Department is investigating with the DHS.

The DHS says that no Omicron cases among Wisconsin residents have been identified, but the investigation continues.

In California, a state lab used genomic sequencing to identify 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alameda County to that wedding. Of those cases, five cases involve the omicron variant. One of the infected people attended the wedding upon return from international travel.

All 12 people were vaccinated, most had received booster shots, and no one has been hospitalized. All experienced mild symptoms, the health departments said. All are between the ages of 18-49 years old.

DHS and the City of Milwaukee Health Department are now reaching out to all Wisconsin residents who were close contacts, and isolation and quarantine protocols are being followed.

“Although the news that this variant is continuing to spread throughout the country is concerning, it should not be a cause for panic. We know COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and death,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake in the statement. "That’s why it’s critical that all eligible Wisconsinites get vaccinated or get their booster as soon as possible and follow public health best practices to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

The first case of the omicron variant has yet to be confirmed in Wisconsin, but this may change soon as health officials track the California-Wisconsin connection and as the variant spreads across the country.v

This story was first reported by staff at TMJ4.

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (TMJ4) — COVID-19 vaccinations of animals will begin next week at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Several different types of animals will receive a shot similar to the Pfizer vaccine that humans have been getting for the better part of a year now.

Senior Staff Veterinarian Dr. Pamela Govett says the COVID-19 risk to animals is very similar to the risk to humans. The decision to immunize the animals comes after a couple of scares at the zoo.

“We have tested two animals that we thought might have it, that were showing respiratory signs, but so far we’ve been lucky,” said Govett.

Donated by the animal health company Zoetis, the shots will first be given to river otters, primates and large cats, all animals that are thought to be susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. The animals will get their shots in a series of two separated by a few weeks, just like humans.

The vaccinations will start the week of Nov. 15.

This story was originally reported by Tom Durian on tmj4.com.

More than a dozen customers were welcomed inside Limanski’s Pub to a sign on the door that read, “Please sanitize your hands upon entering and to remain two bar stools apart unless {you’re} from the same household.”

Inside the pub Wednesday night, drinks were pouring and patrons enjoyed the company of longtime friends. It was much-needed stress relief for regular customer Katie Koutski.

“I have a toddler at home and I’m a full-time nurse so it’s been very stressful and hard to not be able to go out and be with my friends and family at the bars,” Koutski said.

Owner Kathy Goedde said she reopened right after she learned the state Supreme Court struck down the stay-at-home order.

“I was watching the news, and I saw the order was overturned, so I was pretty happy about that, and then I just waited for the Tavern League to send out information and as soon as we got that, I mean, it was awesome,” she said.

Goedde said she reminded patrons to keep a social distance while limiting capacity to a third the bar can hold. Koutski said she didn’t have any concerns about catching coronavirus at the bar.

“I don’t think the risk presents any higher than me going to a grocery store or me being out in the community in any other sort of way,” she said.

A similar scene could be found just a few miles away at The Buzzard’s Nest. Regulars rushed to get back to their favorite pub.

“First thought, we flipped it right into the parking lot and yeah, we’ve got to get in and have a first drink,” said patron Matt Griffin.

Owner Larry Pryor said he’s well aware this opportunity could be short-lived if Milwaukee County places its own restrictions on local taverns.

“West Allis could come in, they could call us like they did March 17th or put something on their Facebook page or on the news or and say you have to shut down by 10 or you need to shut down immediately,” he said.

This article was written by Ben Jordan for

WTMJ.

YouTube has suspended Sen. Ron Johnson from posting new videos on the platform for one week over coronavirus comments.

YouTube told The Hill that it made the call for comments the Wisconsin U.S. Senator made in a video posted on his account.

He reportedly supported unproven, experimental treatments for COVID-19, such as Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin.

The platform said it removed the video per its COVID-19 medical misinformation policies, which don't allow content encouraging people to use Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin to treat the coronavirus.

YouTube's misinformation policy states, "YouTube doesn't allow content that spreads medical misinformation that contradicts local health authorities or the World Health Organization’s (WHO) medical information about COVID-19. This is limited to content that contradicts WHO or local health authorities’ guidance on:

• Treatment
• Prevention
• Diagnosis
• Transmission
• Social distancing and self-isolation guidelines
• The existence of COVID-19."

On Friday, Sen. Johnson pushed back against the decision in a tweet Friday, writing that "YouTube’s arrogant COVID censorship continues. How many lives will be lost as a result? How many lives could have been saved with a free exchange of medical ideas? This suppression of speech should concern every American."

The Hill reports the video in question showed Johnson criticizing President Biden's administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and promoting the use of Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin.

Hydroxychloroquine, in particular, came into the spotlight after former President Trump promoted its use as a way to combat the virus.

Last year, a National Institutes of Health clinical trial concluded that Hydroxychloroquine provided no clinical benefit to patients hospitalized with the coronavirus.

TJM4 first reported this story.

In the interview, Biden hinted that it was not yet time to re-open Wisconsin.

"The hospitals in Milwaukee have less than a week’s supply of things they need," said Biden. "There are three things that need to happen: testing, tracking, and treatment."

He also addressed the fact that this virus is hitting the African American community especially hard. According to Biden, no one should have to pay for a test, especially people in historically underrepresented communities. He also added that it's especially important to "keep a clear, clear, ledger of what’s going on in minority communities."

Biden wrapped up the interview by addressing the way our federal government is currently handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’d all be better off if the only person we heard from from the White House was Dr. Fauci," said Biden.

He mentioned that the president should not be hosting these long press conferences daily.

"Follow the science," said Biden. "We're taking too much time."

This article was written by Charles Benson and Julia Marshall for

WTMJ.