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 17, 2020 at 2:50 PM

Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Sawyer and Taylor counties reported new cases of COVID-19 Friday, July 17, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Douglas and Taylor counties reported the most new cases with three, bringing their totals to 69 and 29 cases, respectively. Ashland and Sawyer counties recorded two additional cases each, pushing their totals at 10 and 17 cases, respectively. Bayfield County had one new case Friday, for a total of 12 overall.

The Douglas County Health Department reported the new cases Friday after the daily update from the state. It's not unusual for the county to report its cases independently.

Kathy Ronchi, Douglas County health officer, said in the news release that Douglas County reported nine new cases so far this week, down from 19 the week before.

"Please continue to sanitize your hands frequently, maintain physical distancing, and wear a face mask when interacting with others in public places," she said. "Most of all, do not visit public places if you are having any COVID-19 symptoms. Following these simple prevention strategies will allow us to continue to move safely forward through this pandemic."

The state passed 40,000 total positive cases of the coronavirus Friday coming in at 40,507, DHS said. That's an increase of 880 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 6.6% were positive.

Two additional people died from COVID-19, leaving the total number of deaths in the state at 833.

The number of negative tests in the state was 712,197, an increase of 12,527 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: 10
Total negative tests: 1,208

Bayfield County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 12
Total negative tests: 1,467

Burnett County

Active cases: 1
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 5
Total negative tests: 1,155

Douglas County

Active cases: 14*
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 69*
Total negative tests: 3,461

*Figures reported by Douglas County after the DHS daily update.

Iron County

Active cases: 15
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 24
Total negative tests: 551

Price County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 9
Total negative tests: 1,276

Rusk County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 13
Total negative tests: 999

Sawyer County

Active cases: 4
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 17
Total negative tests: 2,084

Taylor County

Active cases: 17
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 29
Total negative tests: 1,338

Washburn County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 6
Total negative tests: 1,387

Of the people statewide who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, 10% — or 4,031 people — have been hospitalized because of the virus as of Friday. DHS reported that officials don't know the hospitalization history of 13,327 people, or 33%.

Friday's report also showed that 77% of those with confirmed cases have recovered from the illness.

Wisconsin's daily testing capacity was 24,162 on Friday. 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:

7.7% on Saturday, July 11
10.1% on Sunday, July 12
7.5% on Monday, July 13
6.6% on Tuesday, July 14
5.9% on Wednesday, July 15
6.3% on Thursday, July 16
6.6% on Friday, July 17

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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This story was updated at 3:50 p.m. July 17 with updated figures from the Douglas County Health Department. It was originally posted at 3:21 p.m.