The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Sunday reported 457 total cases of coronavirus infection, an increase of 31 in the last 24 hours. That’s a 9.6 percent increase.
Public Health Madison and Dane County reported 70 cases, the same as it reported late Monday.
No new deaths were reported Tuesday. The state has reported five deaths from COVID-19 — one in Fond du Lac County, one in Ozaukee County and three in Milwaukee County.
Up to 20 percent of those who have tested positive have required hospitalization, said Bureau of Communicable Diseases Chief Medical Officer Ryan Westergaard. Westergaard also said that as many as 90 percent of the people infected never require medical care and therefore don’t get tested.
“We have hundreds of cases confirmed, but it could potentially be thousands right now,” he said.
On Tuesday, Governor Evers directed the DHS to issue what he’s calling a “Safer at Home” order, which closes non-essential businesses and orders people to stay home whenever possible.
“No pot-lucks, no playdates, no dinner parties,” Evers said.
DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said it might seem like an overreaction to issue the order with only 457 cases in Wisconsin.
“Our state benefits from those who have come before us,” such as Italy and Wuhan, China. Palm said public health experts’ models predict as many as 22,000 cases and 1,500 deaths in Wisconsin if no measures are taken.
To find out what businesses are considered essential, visit wedc.org/essentialbusiness.
