The rate of coronavirus tests returning positive results rose slightly Wednesday to 5.1 percent — up from four — as about 17,000 tests returned 884 positive results, according to state and county public health data. The 884 new cases brings the total case count for Wisconsin to 56,940. Of those, just over 9,600 are considered active, about 100 fewer than Monday.
Nine more fatalities were reported — three in Milwaukee County, two in Sheboygan County and one each in Ashland, Eau Claire, Monroe and Racine Counties — bringing the total death toll to 970. It was the first death in Ashland County. Additionally, 18 people who tested positive for coronavirus infection have died of other causes, and are not counted as covid fatalities.
The highest local new case count came in Milwaukee County, with 172 new cases and 4.56 percent of tests coming back positive.
Other localities with higher case totals and positive tests rates include:
Brown County: 37 new cases, 4.12 percent positive tests
Calumet County: 10 new cases, 10.1 percent positive tests
Dane County: 77 new cases, 2.23 percent positive tests
Dodge County: 15 new cases, 7.98 percent positive tests
Eau Claire County: 14 new cases, 14.58 percent positive tests
Fond du Lac County: 11 new cases, 6.59 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 44 new cases, 17.89 percent positive tests
La Crosse County: 18 new cases, 9.52 percent positive tests
Marathon County: 16 new cases, 5.08 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 26 new cases, 6.44 percent positive tests
Ozaukee County: 13 new cases, 11.4 percent positive tests
Racine County: 32 new cases, 3.77 percent positive tests
Sheboygan County: 46 new cases, 22.12 percent positive tests
St Croix County: 13 new cases, 8.33 percent positive tests
Washington County: 33 new cases, 20.78 percent positive tests
Walworth County: 26 new cases, 6.72 percent positive tests
Waukesha County: 76 new cases, 4.37 percent positive tests
Waupaca County: 16 new cases, 5.14 percent positive tests
Winnebago County: 12 new cases, 5.15 percent positive tests
Limited hospitalization data is available again after the state DHS and Wisconsin Hospital Association spent nearly two weeks re-configuring their reporting protocols due to new federal guidelines. Currently in Wisconsin, 330 people are hospitalized due to coronavirus infection, three more than yesterday, and 112 of those are in intensive care units.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations has improved but continues to stand out. More than 24 percent of total cases are now Latino people, as well as about 15 percent of today’s new positive cases. Latinos make up just seven percent of the state’s overall population.
Similarly, 15 percent of all cases are Black people, as are 22 percent of total COVID-19 related deaths in the state. Black people make up just six percent of the state’s population.
The state now reports that 1.7 percent of all covid cases in Wisconsin have died, while 80.4 percent have recovered and 17.8 percent remain active.
