The rate of coronavirus tests returning positive results rose again Thursday to 6.36 percent, as an abundance of tests processed — more than 13,000 — returned 880 positive results, according to state and county public health data. That brings the total case count for Wisconsin to 40,581. Of those, more than 8,400 are considered active — nearly 200 more than yesterday and the largest number of active cases reported to date.
Two more fatalities were reported today — one each in Milwaukee and Brown Counties — and bringing the death toll to 833.
The largest local increase was in Milwaukee County – including their latest posted numbers at 1:30 pm today – with 247 new cases and 8.3 percent of tests coming back positive.
Several other counties saw double-digit increases and high positive test rates, including:
Brown County: 14 new cases, 2.11 percent positive tests
Columbia County: 10 new cases, 6.8 percent positive tests
Dane County: 75 new cases, 3.48 percent positive tests
Dodge County: 16 new cases, 5.82 percent positive tests
Jefferson County: 12 new cases, 6.42 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 31 new cases, 14.03 percent positive tests
La Crosse County: 18 new cases, 17.48 percent positive tests
Marathon County: 17 new cases, 9.55 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 22 new cases, 6.38 percent positive tests
Ozaukee County: 15 new cases, 8.47 percent positive tests
Racine County: 56 new cases, 11.81 percent positive tests
Rock County: 21 new cases, 5.32 percent positive tests
Sheboygan County: 28 new cases, 18.30 percent positive tests
Walworth County: 32 new cases, 12.8 percent positive tests
Washington County: 16 new cases, 4.98 percent positive tests
Waukesha County: 72 new cases, 8.04 percent positive tests
Hospitalizations statewide rose slight to 331, 23 more than yesterday and 53 more than a week ago. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 96 require intensive care. Additionally, 172 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 19 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 23.5 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 2.1 percent have died.
