The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive fell slightly to 2.75 percent as 216 new cases were reported, bringing the statewide total to 22,246 — of which fewer than 5,800 remain active. Just a week ago, as many as 6,300 cases were considered active.
Additionally, seven people died of COVID19 in the past 24 hours, including three in Milwaukee County, to bring the total death toll to 689.
The largest local increase in new cases today comes from Brown County, with 21 new cases and 3.2 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:
Dane County: 17
Jefferson County: 10
Kenosha County: 17
Marathon County: 10
Outagamie County: 12
Rock County: 15
Waukesha County: 19
Winnebago County: 12
Milwaukee County turned in its lowest report since the beginning of the crisis, reporting only three new cases.
Hospitalizations statewide are down to 287, 19 fewer than Thursday. Of those currently hospitalized, 104 require intensive care. Additionally, 172 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out — 33.5 percent of total cases are now Latino people, and 28 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, who also make up 25 percent of deaths. Black people make up just six percent of the state’s population.
DHS also reports that 71 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and 3.1 percent have died, leaving about 5,900 active, confirmed infections in the state.
