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

August 21, 2020 at 1:53 PM

Six counties reported new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, Aug. 21, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .

Sawyer County added seven new cases, DHS said. Burnett, Douglas and Iron counties recorded two new cases each, while Taylor and Washburn counties reported one new case each.

Statewide there were a total of 69,059 positive cases of the coronavirus Friday, DHS said, an increase of 826 from the day before. Of the tests reported, 7.8% were positive. The 7-day average for positive tests was 7.6%.

One additional death was reported, putting the overall number of deaths in the state at 1,068, DHS said. Overall, 2% of cases have resulted in death, according to DHS data.

The number of negative tests in the state was 1,103,038, an increase of 9,744 from the day before.

An additional 36 people were hospitalized because of the virus Friday, DHS reported. There are currently 367 Wisconsinites hospitalized because of the virus. Overall, 8% of Wisconsinites who contracted the virus have been hospitalized. DHS has said it doesn't know the hospitalization history for 34% of people who tested positive.

Friday's report showed that 87% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. That means about 11%, or 7,918 cases, are active in the state.

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

Ashland County

Active cases: 7
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 30
Total negative tests: 1,902

Bayfield County

Active cases: 8
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 40
Total negative tests: 2,246

Burnett County

Active cases: 12
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 1,918

Douglas County

Active cases: 26
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 235
Total negative tests: 5,883

Iron County

Active cases: 32
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 100
Total negative tests: 1,300

Price County

Active cases: 2
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 33
Total negative tests: 2,050

Rusk County

Active cases: 3
Deaths: 1
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 22
Total negative tests: 1,527

Sawyer County

Active cases: 35
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 134
Total negative tests: 3,589

Taylor County

Active cases: 21
Deaths: 2
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 79
Total negative tests: 2,130

Washburn County

Active cases: 24
Deaths: 0
Total cases reported since pandemic began: 53
Total negative tests: 2,270

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.