A model of the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. U.S. health officials have stated that COVID-19 is expected to become a significant public health concern in the United States. (Illustration courtesy of Centers for Disease Control)

By Superior Telegram and Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten

July 06, 2020 at 3:43 PM

Bayfield County reported a new case of COVID-19 in Northwestern Wisconsin on Monday, July 6, according to the Bayfield County Health Department.

Prior to Monday, Bayfield County had not had a new case of COVID-19 since March.

In a news release, Bayfield County officials said they believe the person contracted the virus after attending a hockey tournament June 27-28 in Ashland. Bayfield County Health Officer Sara Wartman asked anyone who attended the event and is experiencing symptoms to get tested for the virus at a local clinic or at the upcoming testing event in Iron River.

The health department is in the process of contact tracing, the news release said.

"Anyone identified as potentially at risk will be contacted by the health department. When impossible to determine person exposed, additional information will be added to the Bayfield County COVID-19 webpage with locations of possible exposure," the news release said.

The Wisconsin National Guard will provide free COVID-19 testing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 10 at the Iron River Community Center, 8275 E. Mill St. People do not need to have symptoms to get tested. Anyone, including people who live outside of Wisconsin, can get tested.

Statewide, there were 32,061 positive cases of the coronavirus Monday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services , an increase of 484 cases from the day before. Of the tests reported, 9.2% were positive.

No additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 796.

The number of negative tests in the state was 588,913, an increase of 4,802 from the day before.

Here's a breakdown of the situation in the 10-county region:

Ashland County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 3
Total negative tests: 918

Bayfield County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 4
Total negative tests: 1,131

Burnett County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 4
Total negative tests: 917

Burnett County last saw an increase in cases on Saturday, July 4.

Douglas County

Active cases: 16
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 41
Total negative tests: 2,510

Douglas County last reported new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, July 5.

Iron County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 414

Iron County last saw an increase in cases on Saturday, July 4.

Price County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 2
Total negative tests: 966

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 11
Total negative tests: 794

Sawyer County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 12
Total negative tests: 1,877

Sawyer County last reported new cases on June 26.

Taylor County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 15
Total negative tests: 1,067

Washburn County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 4
Total negative tests: 1,198

Washburn County last reported a positive case of COVID-19 on June 19.
Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 11% — or 3,602 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Monday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 9,981 people, or 31%.

Monday's report also showed that 79% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 19,014 on Monday. An increase in the number of tests being done is one reason for the increase in the number of positive cases. The percentage of positive tests over the last several days was:

4.7% on Tuesday, June 30
4.3% on Wednesday, July 1
4.2% on Thursday, July 2
5.7% on Friday, July 3
10.8% on Saturday, July 4
10.4% on Sunday, July 5
9.2% on Monday, July 6

All of Wisconsin's 72 counties have confirmed cases of the illness.
Visit the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard or Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 page for updates.

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