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

December 15, 2020 at 1:46 PM

A total of 125 Northwestern Wisconsin residents tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Health Services reported Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The new cases were reported as follows: 54 in Douglas County; 14 in Ashland County; 12 each in Bayfield and Washburn counties; 11 in Sawyer County; eight in Rusk County; five in Taylor County; four in Price County; three in Burnett County; and two in Iron County.

The new cases were among 3,501 cases reported Tuesday, bringing the state's overall tally to 442,396, DHS said. The seven-day average of positive cases was 3,421, a figure that has been dropping.

A total of 54 deaths were reported statewide Tuesday, bringing the total number in the state to 4,122, DHS said. Overall, about 1% of people who have contracted the virus in Wisconsin have died, DHS said.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,259,792, an increase of 3,798 from the previous day.

An additional 184 people were hospitalized because of the virus Tuesday. Across the state, 1,471 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19. The total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 319. DHS reported that 82% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Tuesday's report also showed that 89% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 10%, or 44,076 cases, are currently active.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 97
Deaths: 13
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 893
Total negative tests: 5,725

Bayfield County

Active cases: 93
Deaths: 16
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 843
Total negative tests: 5,623

Burnett County

Active cases: 131
Deaths: 15
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 920
Total negative tests: 5,141

Douglas County

Active cases: 481
Deaths: 14
Probable deaths: 12
Total cases: 2,697
Total negative tests: 14,892

Iron County

Active cases: 33
Deaths: 10
Probable deaths: 6
Total cases: 400
Total negative tests: 2,186

Price County

Active cases: 47
Deaths: 4
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 861
Total negative tests: 4,609

Rusk County

Active cases: 97
Deaths: 11
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,022
Total negative tests: 4,112

Sawyer County

Active cases: 97
Deaths: 8
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,070
Total negative tests: 6,882

Taylor County

Active cases: 129
Deaths: 13
Probable deaths: 5
Total cases: 1,475
Total negative tests: 4,824

Washburn County

Active cases: 100
Deaths: 8
Probable deaths: 1
Total cases: 907
Total negative tests: 5,208

Visit the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard or Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 page for updates.

125 people test positive for COVID-19 in Northwestern Wisconsin Dec. 15

Douglas County reported 54 new cases.