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

March 11, 2021 at 3:01 PM

An additional 13 Northwestern Wisconsin residents tested positive for COVID-19 , the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported Thursday, March 11.

They were reported as follows: four in Douglas County; three in Washburn County; two in each Price and Sawyer counties; and one in each Bayfield and Iron counties. No new cases were reported in Ashland, Burnett, Rusk and Taylor counties.

Statewide, an additional 502 cases were reported Thursday, DHS said, bringing the total to 568,352.

SEE MORE: News about coronavirus

No addition confirmed deaths were reported statewide Thursday, maintaining the total at 6,54, DHS said. Overall, 1.1% of people who have contracted the virus have died.

One more person who probably had COVID-19 died in Douglas County. According to DHS, an individual is considered probably infected if they test positive for the antibodies, or they had symptoms and were exposed to COVID-19. Cases are considered confirmed when the test reveals the virus rather than antibodies.

The seven-day average of positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin has remained below 400 new cases since Tuesday. On Thursday, the figure was 363. The seven-day average of positive cases measures the average number of new cases per day over the previous week. An overall decrease in the seven-day average of positive cases indicates the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the state is also going down, according to DHS.

The number of negative tests in the state was 2,658,651, an increase of 3,693 on Thursday.

An additional 40 people have been hospitalized because of the virus since Wednesday. Across the state, 259 people are currently hospitalized because of COVID-19 , and the total number of people receiving treatment in intensive care units is 67. DHS reported that 81% of the state's available hospital beds are occupied. Overall, 4.7% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized.

Thursday's report also showed that 97.7% of the people who have tested positive for the virus have recovered. That means 1.1%, or 6,470 cases, are currently active.

DHS also reports that 1,837,885 million doses of vaccine have been administered by Thursday with 1,149,800 Wisconsin residents, 19.7% of the population, receiving at least one dose of vaccine, and 647,108 of people completing the vaccine series.

DHS announced Thursday that it would begin the next phase of vaccinations Monday, March 29. People 16 and older with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 will be eligible for vaccination as part of Phase 1c.

DHS said the general public is likely to be eligible for vaccination in May. No specific date was given.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 16
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,179
Total negative tests: 6,840
Vaccinations: 4,455

Bayfield County

Active cases: 6
Deaths: 19
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,060
Total negative tests: 6,740
Vaccinations: 5,010

Burnett County

Active cases: 16
Deaths: 23
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,212
Total negative tests: 6,053
Vaccinations: 3,120

Douglas County

Active cases: 48
Deaths: 28
Probable deaths: 16
Total cases: 3,665
Total negative tests: 18,611
Vaccinations: 8,443

Iron County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 21
Probable deaths: 19
Total cases: 555
Total negative tests: 2,519
Vaccinations: 1,590

Price County

Active cases: 13
Deaths: 7
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,174
Total negative tests: 5,449
Vaccinations: 2,897

Rusk County

Active cases: 19
Deaths: 16
Probable deaths: 1
Total cases: 1,269
Total negative tests: 4,911
Vaccinations: 2,092

Sawyer County

Active cases: 20
Deaths: 22
Probable deaths: 0
Total cases: 1,538
Total negative tests: 8,215
Vaccinations: 4,131

Taylor County

Active cases: 11
Deaths: 21
Probable deaths: 9
Total cases: 1,172
Total negative tests: 5,789
Vaccinations: 2,491

Washburn County

Active cases: 15
Deaths: 18
Probable deaths: 2
Total cases: 1,311
Total negative tests: 6,412
Vaccinations: 3,969

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

13 people test positive for COVID-19 in Northwestern Wisconsin on March 11

One person in Douglas County who likely had COVID-19 has died.