The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive fell slightly to 2.41 percent as 272 new cases were reported, bringing the statewide total to 22,518 — of which fewer than 5,600 remain active. Over a week ago, as many as 6,300 cases were considered active.
Additionally, two people died of COVID19 in the past 24 hours, both in Racine County the Department of Health Services reported today.
The largest local increase in new cases today comes from Milwaukee County, with 108 new cases and 2.74 percent of tests coming back positive.
Today’s new cases were spread throughout the state, with a number of counties reporting double-digit increases, including:
Brown County: 16
La Crosse County: 10
Outagamie County: 13
Racine County: 11
Sheboygan County: 10
Waukesha County: 10
Winnebago County: 21
Hospitalizations statewide are down to 285, 2 fewer than Thursday. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 99 require intensive care. Additionally, 167 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out — 33.2 percent of total cases are now Latino people, and 33.5 percent of today’s new cases. Latinos make up just seven percent of the state’s overall population.
Similarly, 19 percent of all cases are Black people, with 14.34 percent of today’s new cases and 25 percent of total COVID-19 related deaths in the state. Black people make up just six percent of the state’s population.
DHS also reports that 72 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and 3.1 percent have died.
