There are 5,356 positive cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services announced Friday. That's an increase of 304 cases from the day before, and the biggest single-day increase Wisconsin has had so far.
According to figures from DHS, 262 people in Wisconsin have died from COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon.
DHS reports 1,353 people have been hospitalized because of the virus. That means at least 25% of people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in the state have been hospitalized. DHS officials have said they don't know the hospitalization history of 18% of cases.
Douglas County had nine confirmed cases as of Friday's DHS report , with 431 people who tested negative for the illness. Bayfield County had three confirmed cases, with 122 people who tested negative. Bayfield County has reported one death from COVID-19.
Across the state, 54,573 people have tested negative for the virus so far. From Thursday to Friday, the number of negative test results increased by 3,117.
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There has been a significant spike in cases in Brown County in recent days. Health officials said they believe the increase is connected to a rash of cases at meatpacking facilities. As of Friday afternoon, Brown County had 605 positive cases of the new coronavirus — 150 more than Thursday.
With recent increases in testing capacity, health officials are loosening restrictions on who can get tested, subject to the availability of testing supplies.
Wisconsin has 48 labs performing COVID-19 tests, up from eight labs one month ago, Gov. Tony Evers said earlier this week.
There are confirmed cases in 66 of Wisconsin's 72 counties.
The following counties have no confirmed cases as of Friday afternoon: Burnett, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Pepin and Taylor.
The Telegram staff contributed to this report.
Wisconsin Public Radio can be heard in the Twin Ports at 91.3 FM or online at wpr.org/news .
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