Wisconsin sets new daily high for positive COVID-19 tests as cases continue to spike
FILE - This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, U.S. health regulators OK'd the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home, a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states. The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp, which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S.[NIAID-RML via AP]
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 2,817 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, a new high-water mark for the state and the third consecutive day with 2,000 or more positive tests.
Wisconsin’s previous single-day record of 2,533 cases was set just over a week ago, on Sept. 18. The DHS has reported 113,645 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
The DHS also reported seven more deaths from the virus on Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 1,281.
Wisconsin health labs completed tests on 12,584 people on Friday, and the state’s seven-day average of positive tests is now 15.7%, according to DHS statistics.
There were 79 new hospitalizations from the virus, the DHS said. As of Saturday, 574 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, and 161 were in intensive care. So far 7,041 COVID-19 patients have required hospitalization in Wisconsin, about 6.2% all positive cases.
The DHS says 94,094 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Wisconsin and there are 18,252 active cases.