For the third consecutive day, the number of new confirmed coronavirus cases set a record, as 926 new cases were confirmed Saturday, breaking yesterday’s record of 854, which in turn broke Thursday’s record of 754. The new record comes even as fewer tests were processed — 7.6 percent of tests came back positive today, up from 6.7 yesterday. Today’s new numbers bring the statewide total to 35,679. Of those, just over 6,940 remain active, the highest total reported to date.
There were seven new deaths reported Saturday — two each in Washington and Waupaca Counties and one each in St. Croix, Ozaukee and Iron Counties — bringing the total death toll to 821.
The largest local increase was in Milwaukee County, with 231 new cases and 7.96 percent of tests coming back positive.
Several other counties saw double-digit increases and high positive test rates, including:
Brown County: 53 new cases, 16.4 percent positive tests
Dane County: 104 new cases, 9.8 percent positive tests
Fond du Lac County: 10 new cases, 7.2 percent positive tests
Grant County: 10 new cases, 12.8 percent positive tests
Jefferson County: 14 new cases, 9 percent positive tests
Kenosha County: 20 new cases, 58.8 percent positive tests
La Crosse County: 17 new cases, 8.7 percent positive tests
Marathon County: 11 new cases, 8.2 percent positive tests
Outagamie County: 18 new cases, 8.8 percent positive tests
Ozaukee County: 16 new cases, 12.8 percent positive
Portage County: 10 new cases, 5.1 percent positive tests
Racine County: 12 new cases, 3.8 percent positive tests
Rock County: 20 new cases, 2.8 percent positive tests
Walworth County: 18 new cases, 15.7 percent positive tests
Washington County: 16 new cases, 16.7 percent positive tests
Waukesha County: 43 new cases, 6 percent positive tests
Hospitalizations statewide fell to 264, 14 fewer than yesterday but 29 more than a week ago. Of those currently hospitalized for COVID-19, 75 require intensive care. Additionally, 155 people are hospitalized and awaiting test results.
The rate of disparity in Latino populations continues to stand out. Twenty-eight percent of total cases are now Latino people, as well as 17 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 2.3 percent have died.
