The rate of coronavirus tests returning positive results fell slightly to 7.71 percent, as more tests — nearly 14,500 — returned a record-shattering 1,117 positive results, according to state and county public health data. That brings the total case count for Wisconsin to 44,135. Of those, almost 9,400 are considered active — about 300 more than yesterday and the largest number of active cases reported to date.
Additionally, 14 more fatalities were reported today, the most since 14 died on June 20: five in Milwaukee county, three in Racine County, two in Waukesha County and one each in Waupaca County, Sheboygan County, Rock County and Forest County. A previously reported fatality in Dodge County was apparently in error and taken out of the data, so the total death toll in Wisconsin now stands at 859.
The largest local increase was in Milwaukee County – including their latest posted numbers at 1:30 pm today – with 295 new cases and 10.44 percent of tests coming back positive. Close behind was Waukesha County with 228 positive cases and 16.61 percent positive tests.
Several other counties saw double-digit increases and high positive test rates, including:
Brown County: 86 new cases, 10.83 percent positive tests
Dane County: 37 new cases, 2.22 percent positive tests
Fond du Lac: 10 new cases, 5.15 percent positive tests
Jefferson County: 14 new cases, 7.91 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 55 new cases, 10.72 percent positive tests
La Crosse County: 11 new cases, 4.68 percent positive tests
Marinette County: 12 new cases, 7.64 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 26 new cases, 5.78 percent positive tests
Ozaukee County: 24 new cases, 22.43 percent positive tests
Racine County: 91 new cases, 9.01 percent positive tests
Sheboygan County: 12 new cases, 10.53 percent positive tests
Trempeleau County: 10 new cases, 25.64 percent positive tests
Walworth County: 22 new cases, 6.63 percent positive tests
Hospitalizations statewide rose slight to 354, 13 fewer than yesterday but 61 more than a week ago. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 101 require intensive care. Additionally, 190 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
However, the number of people ever hospitalized went up by 64, including four children under the age of 19, five in their 20s, nine in their 40s, nine in their 50s, seven in their sixties and 28 aged 70 or older.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out. Twenty-six percent of total cases are now Latino people, as well as 14.86 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 23 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 77 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and two percent have died.
