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 12, 2020 at 1:32 PM

Ashland, Douglas and Iron counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, July 12, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Iron County reported the most new cases with six, bringing its overall total to 16 cases. Douglas County recorded an additional four cases, putting its total at 60. Ashland County added one new case, leaving its total at eight.

Statewide, there were 36,448 positive cases of the coronavirus, DHS said, an increase of 769 from the day before. Of the tests reported Sunday, 10.1% were positive.

No additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 820. DHS reported Saturday that a second person died in Iron County, but revised its figures Sunday to say the county's total number of deaths remains at one.

The number of negative tests in the state was 653,352, an increase of 6,848 from the day before.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 1,017

Bayfield County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 6
Total negative tests: 1,215

Burnett County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 5
Total negative tests: 1,039

Douglas County

Active cases: 24
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 60
Total negative tests: 2,827

Iron County

Active cases: 10
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 16
Total negative tests: 477

Price County

Active cases: 5
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 8
Total negative tests: 1,149

Rusk County

Active cases: 0
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 11
Total negative tests: 906

Sawyer County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 15
Total negative tests: 1,981

Sawyer County last reported a new positive case on Thursday, July 9.

Taylor County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 17
Total negative tests: 1,216

Washburn County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 6
Total negative tests: 1,284

Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 10% — or 3,824 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Sunday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 11,687 people, or 32%.

Sunday's report also showed that 78% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,362 on Sunday. 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:

9.2% on Monday, July 6
3.9% on Tuesday, July 7
5.6% on Wednesday, July 8
5.7% on Thursday, July 9
6.7% on Friday, July 10
7.7% on Saturday, July 11
10.1% on Sunday, July 12

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.

As a public service, we’ve opened this article to everyone regardless of subscription status. If this coverage is important to you, please consider supporting local journalism by clicking on the subscribe button in the upper righthand corner of the homepage.