The rate of coronavirus tests returning positive results fell again Tuesday to 6.6 percent, but an abundance of tests processed — over 14,000 — returned a record number of positive results — 964. That brings the total case count for Wisconsin to 37,906. Of those, nearly 7,800 are considered active — 300 more than yesterday and the largest number of active cases reported to date.
There were six more fatalities reported today — four in Milwaukee County, one in Kenosha County and one in Winnebago County — bringing the death toll to 826.
The largest local increase was in Milwaukee County – including their latest posted numbers at 1:30pm today – with 282 new cases and 10.37 percent of tests coming back positive.
Several other counties saw double-digit increases and high positive test rates, including:
Brown County: 76 new cases, 18,23 percent positive tests
Dane County: 80 new cases, 3.45 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 31 new cases, 20.39 percent positive tests
La Crosse County:20 new cases, percent positive tests unavailable
Oconto County: 15 new cases, 14.29 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 30 new cases, 8.33 percent positive tests
Ozaukee County: 15 new cases, 15.96 percent positive tests
Racine County: 42 new cases, 4.67 percent positive tests
Rock County: 30 new cases, 9.04 percent positive tests
Sauk County: 21 new cases, 6.25 percent positive tests
Sheboygan County: 19 new cases, 4.63 percent positive tests
Washington County: 11 new cases 11 percent positive tests
Waukesha County: 79 new cases, 8.3 percent positive tests
Winnebago County: 11 new cases, 4.42 percent positive tests
Hospitalizations statewide rose to 293, up from yesterday’s 284 and 39 more than a week ago. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 83 require intensive care. Additionally, 147 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out. Twenty-seven percent of total cases are now Latino people, as well as 14.52 percent of today’s new cases. Latinos make up just seven percent of the state’s overall population.
Similarly, 16 percent of all cases are Black people, as are 24 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 just under 78 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and 2.3 percent have died.