The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive fell again to 3.6 percent in the past 24 hours, the second-lowest daily rate to date, as 277 new cases were identified, bringing the statewide total to 15,923.
Three fatalities were reported Tuesday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 514.
The largest local increase in new cases today comes from Milwaukee County, with 175 new cases and 11.5 percent of tests coming back positive.
Counties that have been hotspots in recent weeks were considerably cooler today. Brown County reports no new cases, Racine County reports one and Kenosha County reports seven, with all three counties showing a positive test rate of less than one percent.
By contrast, Dane County, which has consistently shown positive test rates under three percent, jumped to eight percent, showing 15 positive results on just over 183 tests.
That makes for 27 new cases in the past two days in Dane County, which began the first phase of reopening today.
Hospitalizations also rose sharply today, jumping from 388 to 422 people — the highest since 441 people were hospitalized on April 14. Of those currently hospitalized, 135 require intensive care. Of those currently hospitalized, 295 are in the southeast region of the state.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out — 33 percent of total cases are now Latino people, and percent of today’s new cases. Latinos make up just seven percent of the state’s overall population.
Similarly, 19 percent of all cases are Black people, who also make up just under 30 percent of deaths. Black people make up just six percent of the state’s population.
DHS also reports that 59 percent of those confirmed to have been infected have recovered and 3.3 percent have died, leaving about 5,800 active, confirmed infections in the state.
