For the second consecutive day, the number of new confirmed coronavirus cases set a record, as 880 new cases were confirmed Friday, breaking yesterday’s record by more than 120. The new record comes even as fewer tests were processed — 6.7 percent of tests came back positive today, up from 5.7 yesterday. Today’s new numbers bring the statewide total to 34,885. Of those, just over 6,600 remain active, the highest total reported to date.
There were five new deaths reported Thursday — one in Brown County, one in Milwaukee County, one in Waukesha County and two in Kenosha County — bringing the total death toll to 814.
The largest local increase was in Milwaukee County, with 334 new cases and 10.3 percent of tests coming back positive.
Several other counties saw double-digit increases and high positive test rates, including:
Brown County: 21 new cases, percent positive tests unavailable
Calumet County: 10 new cases, 17.5 percent positive tests
Dane County: 128 new cases, 5.3 percent positive tests
Fond du Lac County: 10 new cases, 10.3 percent positive tests
Jefferson County: 23 new cases, 15.2 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 31 new cases, 18.9 percent positive tests
Marathon County: 17 new cases, 11.4 percent positive tests
Monroe County: 10 new cases, 10.3 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 18 new cases, 6.7 percent positive tests
Portage County: 13 new cases, 7.6 percent positive tests
Racine County: 12 new cases, 3.8 percent positive tests
Rock County: 26 new cases, 9.8 percent positive tests
Sheboygan County: 10 new cases, 6.4 percent positive tests
St Croix County: 14 new cases, 7.2 percent positive tests
Walworth County: 10 new cases, 5.8 percent positive tests
Waukesha County: 43 new cases, 6 percent positive tests
Hospitalizations statewide fell to 278, six fewer than yesterday but 34 more than a week ago. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 77 require intensive care. Additionally, 155 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out. Twenty-nine percent of total cases are now Latino people, as well as 20 percent of today’s new cases. Latinos make up just seven percent of the state’s overall population.
Similarly, 17 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 2.6 percent have died.
