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

October 31, 2020 at 1:38 PM

Sawyer County reported the death of one of its residents from complications related to COVID-19 Saturday, Oct. 31, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The death is the county's fourth since the pandemic began and among 59 reported statewide Saturday. The total number of Wisconsinites who have died from COVID-19 is 2,031. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus have died.

DHS also reduced Douglas County's death count by 1. Officials have said they will correct errors in the data when they find them.

In Northwestern Wisconsin, 119 people tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday. They were reported as follows: 26 in Price County; 21 in Douglas County; 17 in Sawyer County; 14 in Taylor County; 10 in Bayfield County; nine in Ashland and Rusk counties; seven in Burnett County; four in Iron County; and two in Washburn County.

They were among 5,278cases reported in the state Saturday . The state's total number of COVID-19 cases grew to 225,370. The seven-day percentage of positive cases by person was 28.8%.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,826,636, an increase of 9,575 from the previous day.

An additional 229 people were hospitalized because of the virus Saturday. There are currently 1,546 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus, a record high that continues to climb. Overall, 5% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Saturday's report also showed that 78% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 21%, or 48,208 cases, are currently active.

Here's the breakdown in the 10-county region: