In a positive sign that the state may soon inch toward easing restrictions on businesses and individuals, the rate of positive infections dropped to just eight percent — meaning fewer than one in 12 tests conducted in the past 24 hours came back positive — the third consecutive daily decline, and the lowest rate in a week.
The number of tests also increased to over 4,000 for the first time.
Governor Tony Evers’ “Badger Bounce Back” plan requires a 14-day decline in that measure, along with other indicators, before more businesses are allowed to open and groups can begin to gather.
Wisconsin now has had a total of 8,977 cases, according to Department of Health Services and county public health data — an increase of 314.
Overall since the crisis began, 9.2 percent of all tests have come back positive. That’s slightly lower than it was yesterday, when it was 9.26 percent.
The largest increase in new cases today come from Brown County, which increased by 108. An outbreak at a meat packing plant in Green Bay has significantly increased the number of positive cases, which have now reached 1,653 in the county.
The statewide death toll is now 362, with nine more fatalities since Tuesday afternoon.
Fewer people are hospitalized today — 299, compared with 328 yesterday. Additionally, 212 are hospitalized awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to rise — 28.5 percent of total cases are now Latino people, and 45 percent of the new cases identified today. Latinos make up just 7 percent of the state’s overall population.
DHS also reports that 48 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and just over four percent have died.
